SAL'S QUICK HITS: FOUR IN A ROW?!

November 27, 2024

Bryce Salvador


Here are my quick hits following the Devils’ 5-2 W vs. NSH heading into a chance to win four straight tonight vs. STL:

Wow, Devils fans, what a task it’ll be for this team tonight to follow up the effort we witnessed from them on Monday night! I just continue to be impressed with the strides this Devils team is making in terms of establishing their identity of competing in all areas of the game for full, 60-minute efforts. Every player is contributing, special teams are getting the job done, both goaltenders have been outstanding, and they continue to find different ways to win no matter what the game gives them.

Following two big wins against top teams in the Metro (CAR & WSH), it would have been easy to do what any of the past teams would typically do, and that is take the “night off” against a weaker Western Conference team like Nashville. But this year’s team continues proving that they are a more mature, mentally tough team by going out and taking care of business in the games they’re supposed to win.


Captain Nico
What an outstanding game this was for the Captain, netting his first career hat trick, including the GWG, in the span of just 6 shifts during the 2nd period. For me, this game was yet another display of the evolution of Nico’s captaincy and how, in my eyes, he’s establishing himself right in front of our eyes as one of the premier, top-tier captains throughout the entire league. Yes, Nico took a quick 10-game hiatus from scoring goals, but after Monday night’s performance, I think it’s safe to reignite the topic that if this level of offensive production continues for the Captain, he’s not only going to find himself as a perennial Selke finalist but also in the Hart conversation as well. 

Timo Suspension
With Timo being suspended for tonight’s game, it appears Paul Cotter will take his spot on the Nico line, and Nolan Foote will slot in on the third line where Cotter had been playing. No, nobody is happy with the fact that Timo will miss tonight’s game (besides maybe STL since he scored a hat trick against them last season!) but it’s now about embracing that next-man-up mentality that is going to be inevitable at points throughout the season when you are dealing with injuries, suspensions, illnesses, or other curveballs the hockey gods throw your way. Like I talk about in the clip below, I love the fact that HC Keefe has been so comfortable playing Cotter up and down the lineup, regardless of the night or mistakes he’s made in recent games, and trusts that Cotter understands he cannot change his game and try to be Timo Meier tonight. 

It’s been way too long – 678 days, to be exact – since the Devils could say they had an active winning streak of four or more games, and that drought – dating back to Jan. 2023 – ends tonight!!! The NSH game was easily one of the better atmospheres I’ve seen at the Rock in a long, long time (maybe since the 2023 Playoffs), and I’m expecting no different from Devils Nation tonight. So, hopefully, the Devils can feed off that energy from the crowd, take care of business against a hungry STL team, and give the fans a 4-game W streak to be thankful for at the dinner table tomorrow!

Join Rachel and me at 6:30 p.m. tonight for our MSGSN2 pregame show as I chat live with Luke Hughes in the pregame skate. Then, Rachel and I will further break down the Captain’s season so far, the maturity we’ve seen over the last 3 games, and some more keys to a fourth-straight W tonight vs. STL.

Happy Thanksgiving, and Let’s Go Devils!
-Sal



Here are some graphics from Monday night's broadcast!


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