It is history now for the New Jersey Devils, but it started as any other Saturday night in early April. A meaningless game 82 between the Devils and the Florida Panthers took place in Sunrise, Florida. Both teams had been out of a playoff race weeks before this game. The only race the Devils were in was for the first overall pick. They entered the night second to last in the league with 70 points. This team and the fans were ready to wrap up what was a miserable follow-up season from their miraculous run to the playoffs and an improbable Taylor Hall MVP.
A “Meaningless” Game 82
MacKenzie Blackwood was in the net and the team’s goalie of the future. Nathan Bastian scored the first two goals of his career, and Pavel Zacha scored a highlight reel goal after coming out of the penalty box. Yet the Devils still managed to blow a 3-1 lead in the third period and go into overtime. The point wasn’t enough to move them in the standings, but they were flirting with the possibility of leapfrogging the Los Angeles Kings and messing up the tank.
In the extra session, the Devils found themselves on the powerplay early. The puck was whipped around the offensive zone before Damon Severson had control on the blueline. He shuffled to his right, moving the Panthers penalty killer out of the passing lane, before gliding it over to forward Travis Zajac. Zajac cut to the high slot before wiring a wrist shot past goalie Roberto Luongo to end the Devils season. Like they had all season long, Devils fans erupted in anger as the team managed to disappoint one last time and jump up one spot in the standings, hurting their Draft Lottery odds.
The 2018 NHL Entry Draft Lottery
Fast forward three nights later in Toronto at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft Lottery. The Devils entered the night with the third-best odds and an 11.5 percent chance of winning the lottery. The prize up for grabs was a small, skilled, babyfaced American forward by the name of Jack Hughes.
The first twist comes at 10 when the Chicago Blackhawks are the first team to move up. Then to the despair of Devils fans, it’s shown that the New York Rangers are moving up as well. However, a mere two picks later the card is turned to show that there was one last twist in the lottery. The Devils are the third team to move up in the lottery. After what felt like the longest commercial break of all time, the reveal for the top three picks are shown. Chicago is the first card flipped, locking them into the third selection. Then, for the final time that season, a Hudson River Rivalry. Only this time for the top pick. The slow flip of the card by Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly reveals the bright red “NJ”. For the second time in three years, the Devils were Draft Lottery winners.
After a long two months, the night of the NHL Draft had finally arrived. The discourse between Jack Hughes and Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko had been at an all-time high. However, it was finally all put to rest after team legend Martin Brodeur made the selection of Hughes official.
The Impact of Zajac’s Goal
All of these years later, Jack Hughes has become the catalyst for the Devils rebuild. He is the undoubted face of the franchise after breaking Patrik Elias‘ 22-year-old team record in points with 99 this past season. (Elias had 96). Since his introduction into the league, Hughes has been on a consistent upward trend in his play and point production. He has also been blessed with an amazing supporting cast that includes the Devils other first-overall pick Nico Hischier, as well as players like Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, Dawson Mercer, and Dougie Hamilton.
The Devils come into the 2023-24 season off the back of a historic year that saw them beat the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. Expectations haven’t been this high in the Garden State since the defensive juggernaut teams’ heyday in the ’90s and early 2000s. And this team will go only as far as Hughes can take them. The surrounding talent is great, but it’s Hughes who has the puck on his stick in the big moments. The buzz surrounding him will only continue to build as the team wins and his point totals increase. An MVP does not look too far away for him, and many Devils fans look to him to provide the firepower for a Stanley Cup-winning team.
In the moment, it was hard for any Devils fan to believe that winning a meaningless game 82 would end up being one of the biggest moments in recent franchise history. Going from 70 to 72 points and passing the LA Kings in the standings hardly seemed like a big deal at the time. Yet, Travis Zajac‘s goal started a chain reaction that could potentially create the next dynasty in the NHL.
Tuesdays are for Jack Hughes highlights🤌🏼
(jk every day is for JH highlights) pic.twitter.com/rUMStyiGX9
— Devils on MSG (@DevilsMSGN) May 23, 2023
Main Photo: Ed Mulholland USA TODAY Sports
