Hey, everyone!
I hope you all took a chance during our two-day break from Devils hockey to recharge the battery, because we are right back at it with 4 PTS on the line in the next 24 hours! Lots of great things to chat about heading into tonight.
I know we are only going into Game #6, but I have to say, I am quite pleased with how my 2025-26 NJD checklist has progressed so far! Yes, generating 5v5 offensive production and building a winning brand of hockey at the Rock are season-long goals, but the last two are one-offs. I hope we check off the last box with a W tonight 👀
The PK continues its excellent start to the season, with its current streak now standing at 16 straight kills entering tonight.
Talk about excellence, the PK has 24 blocked shots (T-#1 w/ BUF) and is only the 11th PK in NHL history to have a 95%+ PK and multiple SHGs through their first 5 GP. With another perfect night tonight, they can shrink that list and become one of just nine teams to fit this criteria through 6 GP. Outstanding!
After yesterday’s practice, we heard Dilly — who has the #5 largest PK workload (4:16 SH TOI/GP) among NHL D w/ 5+ GP — talking about the fact that a team’s PK can serve as such a significant momentum changer, either positively or negatively. Well, it is safe to say NJD’s PK has been a positive momentum changer - and that may be an understatement. Following the EDM game, the Devils’ PK has now generated 2 huge SHGs (both of which extended the lead to two), and four additional goals that have come within 1:30 of their successful PKs.
Look, I could go on and on about the impact of the PK and the job Shawsy has done so far, but this article would never end. So, I’ll save the rest of this discussion for our pregame show! 
Who needs Meier March Madness when you have TIMO TIME in October? Timo’s line with the Captain & the DAWG have been on fire to start this season, but I want to start by highlighting Timo individually. Timo’s 3 goals (all go-ahead goals) are his most through the first 5 GP since 2021-22 w/ SJS, a season in which he finished with 35.
As a line, they are equally dominant with +3.87 Goal DIFF per 60 mins, which is the 9th best.
My next question entering tonight’s game is, “is the DAWG back?”
Mercer is off to the fastest offensive start of his career, with 3 goals and 5 PTS in his first 5 GP. Looking a little deeper, he is one of only two forwards in the league with at least 5 PTS, 8 blocks, & 2 drawn penalties. Oh, and who is the other forward on that list, you ask? It is none other than Captain Nico, which conveniently rounds out my kudos for how good this line has been. 😉
Downtown Brown had himself an afternoon on Saturday against EDM. Yes, we’re only five games in, but man, has he ever been a tremendous fit with the Devils so far.
Staying on the topic of players’ fastest individual starts from a statistical standpoint, Brownie’s 3 goals in his first 5 GP are also the most of any season in his career. I hope we are looking at the early signs of a third career 20+ goal season for NJD#16.
Speaking of Connor Brown, his line was outstanding on Saturday vs. EDM. Quite frankly, it was pretty surprising how impressive they were in this game, as Sheldon gave this third line of Grits, Glass, Brown the extremely tough assignment of being matched up against Draisaitl’s line. They not only met that challenge, but also showed everyone that they might be a new potential shutdown line (with high 5v5 scoring upside) in the making. Great stuff from this trio!
Jake Allen is getting his fourth straight start tonight. When you look back at his first three starts, he was the only reason the Devils were in each of those games after the first periods, to put it bluntly. I hope the Devils can get off to a better start in front of him tonight, as we all saw a couple of seasons ago what happens when you allow a team like TOR to hem you in for the entire first period.
Yes, as you may remember, I’m referring to that time Jake stood on his head and make 24 first period saves in TOR back on 3/26/24, which is still the most of any Devils goaltender on record. The Devils ended up winning that game 6-3 on the back of Jake’s 42 total saves, but jeez, I hope we are talking about the complete opposite narrative in the first intermission tonight. Don’t leave him out to dry!
Be sure to tune in for our pregame show tonight as Rachel and I recap the big win against EDM on Saturday, break down the PK’s early success, discuss Glendening’s faceoff contributions, and preview some keys to getting Sheldon his first win against his former team tonight. It all starts at 6:30 p.m. on MSG!
-Sal
Here is some additional content from Saturday's broadcast!
