It’s been a rollercoaster few weeks for the New Jersey Devils since our last Stock Up/Stock Down. The Devils were home for the holidays, playing their last six of seven games at the Prudential Center. Since returning from their Pacific Northwest road trip, the Devils won a hard-fought 2-1 game in OT against the Boston Bruins, before taking care of business against the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road two nights later.
Most recently, the Devils are coming off of a lukewarm five-game homestand where they went 2-2-1. After starting with three straight losses to the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Edmonton Oilers, the Devils managed to salvage the homestand by winning the next two against the Detroit Red Wings and a rematch against Columbus. With the calendar turning to 2024, the Devils will be looking for more consistency, and hopefully find themselves in a playoff spot sooner than later.
New Jersey Devils Stock Up/Stock Down
Stock Up
Timo Meier
Meier has the advantage of recency bias on his side. After going ice-cold for nine straight games, Meier has been filling the net the last few games. He’s scored four goals over the last three games, including the overtime-winner against Columbus. It had been a struggle for Meier since returning from injury, with Lindy Ruff even acknowledging he was playing hurt. However, whatever he’s been dealing with over the past month looks to have gone by the wayside because vintage Timo Meier has returned. His two biggest assets are his aggressiveness and his shot, and both have begun to be utilized again. Meier looks to have regained his speed and is willing to throw around his body, especially on the forecheck. Also, after looking scared to shoot the puck for about a month, Meier has registered back-to-back five-shot games. This version of Timo Meier is what the Devils will need to climb back up the standings.
In this house, we call 9:38pm Timo Time. pic.twitter.com/F7We4yCy9W
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) December 28, 2023
Stock Down
Jack Hughes
What has happened to Jack Hughes? The only explanation is some type of Space Jam situation and someone stole his talent, because he does not look right. After a quiet road trip, Hughes had two productive games against Boston and Columbus that included the OT winner and a hat trick. However, since then it’s been more bad than good. He’s looked frustrated out there and making mistakes we haven’t seen him make since his rookie year. The culmination of this came against the Flyers where his two turnovers directly led to goals, including the winner. Hughes has been turning the puck over at an alarming rate over the past two weeks, in what looks like a player trying to do too much. Luckily, he’s still managed a few points during this cold streak and can pop off at any moment.
OVERTIME IS OWEN TIME. #LetsGoFlyers | @TippettOwen pic.twitter.com/wNIYZNpGLc
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 20, 2023
Stock Up
Penalty Kill
The Devil’s PK unit has begun to move up the ranks, slowly but surely. They spent most of the season in the low 20’s, but have inched their way up to 21st as of late. It may not seem like much, but every percentage matters for them right now. They’ve only given up two goals since returning from the road trip, and none in the past four games. They haven’t been giving teams wide-open chances like they had been all season long. And despite his poor play in every other aspect, Brendan Smith has stood out as the team’s best PKer. Most recently, they’ve been a middle-of-the-pack team in most metrics like Goals Against Above Expected, High Danger Shots Against, and Fenwick %. The Devils will need their PK unit to continue this trend if they want to solidify a playoff spot.
Stock Down
Jonas Siegenthaler
Yes, he scored his first goal of the season. No, that does not mean he’s been playing well. “Siegs” has been as reliable as they come since joining the Devils, but this season he’s fighting it. He’s tied for second on the team in giveaways (22) and far and away the leader for defensive zone giveaways (18). None may be worse than his giveaway against Columbus that resulted in a late goal. Both his Corse and Fenwick % are near the bottom on the team. He has inexplicably been caught out of position way too often compared to years past. There’s still over half a season to get it right, but so far Siegenthaler’s 2023-24 season has been a bit of a dud.
Right between the wickets!
Yegor Chinakhov capitalizes on a New Jersey mistake and puts the @BlueJacketsNHL ahead of the Devils, 3-2, late in the third period.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/rXBAnmYt4f
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) December 28, 2023
Main photo by: Ed Mulholland – USA TODAY Sports
