Here are my quick hits following the Devils’ 5-0 W over NYR and holiday break, heading into tonight’s game vs. CAR:
Dominant 5-0 W Over NYR
Hey everyone, I hope you all had a very happy and safe holiday with your friends and family!
Now that it’s been three days, let’s take a look back at some of the numbers from the Devils’ complete destruction of the NYR back on Monday afternoon, which featured some key physical moments from Cotter, Dillon, Noesen, and Timo, a near-perfect night for the special teams, and ultimately earned NJD a fourth straight win at the Rock for the first time in over 600 days! Talk about sending everyone into the holiday break in perfect fashion... This game had it all!
Historic Shot Suppression
One of the main storylines following this team right now is the historic streak of shot suppression the Devils have had over the last seven games. As if these records, shown in the graphic below, weren’t enough, the Devils also made history vs. NYR & PIT as the only instance of a team recording back-to-back 12-save shutouts since the NHL started tracking shots in 1959-60. What this team is doing right now is truly historic and impressive!
As I talked about in the clip below from Monday night's broadcast, I attribute some of this to all 12 NJD FWs and their commitment to sprinting to take away shooting lanes as soon as the puck goes low to high in the DZ. This subsequently forces opposing SATs to either be blocked or sent wide from the point. Combine this defensive commitment at the perimeter with the fact the Devils protect the slot better than any team in the league this season, and that's the perfect recipe for the low volume of Shots AG that we're seeing lately.
Now, I'm not going to lie; I’d be beyond impressed if we see the Devils keep this streak (or anything close to it!) alive against a rested, hungry CAR team that is notorious for wearing you down, extending OZ time, and making life difficult for you for 60/65 minutes. Evidently, that’s exactly why CAR currently averages the highest rate of shot attempts and shots on net in the NHL. Tremendous test for the Devils if they want to keep this trend going!
Jack Hughes
To nobody’s surprise, Jack once again stole the show against the Rangers with a pair of PPGs - which included his 3rd GWG in the last 4 home games - and his second 3-point night in as many games this season vs. NYR.
As I discussed in the clip below from our postgame show, Jack is continuing to make this team so dangerous by evolving into such a well-rounded player both on and off the ice, just like Bratter has done over the past couple of years. And yes, Jack continues to be vintage Jack by rising to the occasion in these divisional rivalry games. So, I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us tonight and tomorrow against the Canes, whom he already has 1-4–5 PTS against in 2 GP this season!
Two-Night Playoff Series?!
Looking ahead to these next two games for the Devils, it’ll be a tremendous test to see if this team can take all “8 points” on the table against an opponent in which they are fighting for first place with in the Metro and could potentially face in the Stanley Cup Playoffs again this season. One thing’s for sure: this is setting up to be back-to-back nights of electric, playoff-styled hockey between two rested, healthy, elite teams right now. Here’s a little bit of a deeper look into my CAR/NJD Pre-Scout entering "Game 1" tonight!
Pesce
Brett Pesce has definitely had these two games against CAR circled on his calendar for a long time. Seeing that Jaccob Slavin is expected to skate in his 700th career GP tonight – and then Pesce will return to Raleigh for the first time tomorrow night – this is setting up for a very special couple of nights for these two guys. Last time the Hurricanes visited the Rock, I talked about the fact that not many people remember that Pesce & Slavin came into the league as ~21-year-old rookies together back in 2015-16 before, of course, eventually evolving into premier pillars on the backend for the ‘Canes throughout their 9 seasons as teammates.
Individually, Pesce had arguably his best game as a Devil so far in the 4-2 W vs. CAR back on Nov. 21, in my opinion, and he tied a career-high with 6 blocked shots that game. Watching Pesce from ice level that night, I remember sensing just how emotional it was for him to play against his former team for the first time, and like I said, I felt he did a tremendous job of channeling that emotion and using it to will the Devils to a gusty win. Therefore, yes, I expect to see another two big games for him in this set against CAR, as he continues his elite defensive play and offensive stretch of 1-3–4 PTS in his last 6 GP! Tune in tonight to our pregame show, as Rachel and I will show some video examples and break this down in more detail.
Noesen
Another former Cane that Rachel and I will discuss in tonight’s pregame show is Stefan Noesen, who, after scoring again on Monday vs. NYR, now has 3 goals in his last 4 GP, including 2 GWGs in that span, as he builds on his career-high 16 goals through only the first 37 GP of the season.
Following up on a graphic I’ve shown a few times this season, it's the type of production Noesen has had that, for me, makes his start to the season that much more outstanding and impressive. Of Noesen's 16 goals, 7 gave the Devils the lead, 4 extended the lead to two, one tied the game, and 8 of the goals he has assisted on were the primary assist on the goal. Outstanding! I wouldn’t be too surprised if Noesen, like Pesce, is a difference-maker once again in this set against his former team, considering he registered a go-ahead goal and a primary assist (1-1–2) in the last matchup with CAR back on Nov. 21. 👀
Hamilton
Now, not to be outdone by Noesen and Pesce, Dougie completed the “Former Cane Trifecta” in the last meeting with CAR by scoring a CLUTCH 3rd period GWG off a hardworking play from Tatar and Mercer below the goal line, which snapped a 13-game goalless drought that Dougie was on at the time.
Fast forward to tonight; Dougie has not scored a goal at the Rock since this moment (10 home games ago), or a goal in any building for that matter since Dec. 2 @ NYR (9 games ago). Maybe - just maybe - Dougie comes out rested from the holiday break and blasts home another drought-snapping, important goal tonight against his former team. Just maybe!!!
Be sure to join Rachel and I at 6:30 p.m. tonight as we break down Noesen and Pesce’s seasons in more detail. Once again, I hope everyone had a great holiday break and is ready to go for some “playoff hockey” vs. CAR over the next two nights!
Let’s Go Devils!
-Sal
Here are some graphics from Monday’s broadcast!