Hey, Devils fans! Lots to catch up on from the last two games, so let’s get right into it.
CONTINUE TO FINISH STRONG
As Jack said postgame on Wednesday night, it sucks that this 6-2-0 stretch of hockey the Devils are riding right now is not coming at a time when they are pushing for a playoff spot. Still, the former captain in me always looks for positives to build on, and with the playoff math still looking like a steep uphill climb, my focus remains on hoping we see this team head into the offseason feeling good about the way the season ended. Winning these next four games on the road would really pique my interest and have me truly believing again, but I am not ready to go there yet.
Again, for now, all I want to see is that dominant brand of Devils hockey continue to build back up game by game. A couple of articles ago, I talked about how every guy needs to finish the season playing at their highest standard, and so far, we are seeing exactly that. From the outside looking in, we can absolutely revisit the playoff conversation if the Devils go at least 3-0-1 on the rest of this trip, but as players, the only thing you can control is living in the present moment and being the best version of yourself each day.
COTTER - BJUGSTAD - TSYPLAKOV
Speaking of players ending the season on a high note, this fourth line has been one of the more noticeable developments over the last handful of games. Cotter starting to rediscover his finishing touch again does not surprise me in the slightest, but the chemistry forming between him, Bjugstad, and Tsyplakov has been a very pleasant surprise. It is still a small sample, but if the rates below carry through the rest of the season or even improve, this trio will make a very strong case to be the potential 4th line next season.
DOWNTOWN BROWN
Another small sample set of games, but Connor Brown is proving that he can be a candidate to play with Jack long-term, both at 5v5 and on PP1. 3-9–12 PTS in the 9 GP since moving to Jack's wing full-time, and he has been excellent playing the bumper and retrieving pucks on the PP.
Coming off a goal & two helpers each at the Garden (including this beauty on the PP), I hope to see this duo continue cookin' tonight in WSH! 🔥
As you may have seen in my Tweet, we have a very special guest joining us on tonight's pregame show in Tom Gulitti. Tom was always a fair, balanced, and all-around diligent beat reporter during his 14 years covering the Devils, and I always had a tremendous level of respect for him when he was around the NJD teams I played for. Now an NHL.com writer covering the Caps, it'll be great to catch up with him and reminisce on some old stories!
-Sal
