It’s strange times in New Jersey for the Devils. Better put, it’s strange times in Florida and Boston for the Devils. Since our last stock up/stock down, the New Jersey Devils embarked on a three-game road trip. After four days off and half the team in the infirmary, the Devils began their trip against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They battled back from a 3-1 deficit to send the game to overtime, but couldn’t find the extra point and fell 4-3.
They followed up with a fantastic goaltending and team effort to beat the Florida Panthers 4-1 and end their nine-game winning streak. Less than 48 hours later they took on the Boston Bruins in a MLK Day matinee. Despite another strong performance in the net, the offence didn’t show up, and the Devils fell 3-0. However, with the laundry list of injuries, the Devils for the most part played hard and showed a lot of effort against three really good teams.
New Jersey Devils Stock Up/Stock Down
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Nico Daws
The titular hero of the past week is none other than Nico Daws. In his start against the Panthers, he made a couple of grade-A saves that helped preserve the Devils lead. He saved 36 of 37 shots, but more importantly, finished with a 2.42 GSAx. The Devils have been crying out for a goalie to come in and make timely saves, and save above expected, and that’s exactly what Daws has been doing. He followed up a stellar performance against the Panthers with another great one against the Bruins. He made 33 out of 35 saves and recorded an even more impressive 2.66 GSAx. The Bruins game was crying out for offence which unfortunately didn’t come, but Daws has been holding up his end of the bargain since being called up.
Starting your Sunday with Nico Daws highlights. pic.twitter.com/YaSgwcaGy0
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 14, 2024
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Vitek Vanecek
From one goalie to the next. Hopefully, this is the last time Vanecek finds himself on this list, but this week he makes it for good reason. Vanecek’s lone start came in their game against the Lightning, where he saved just 16 of 20. And like he’s done all season, he posted another negative GSAx. His -1.72 GSAx against the Lightning officially made him the worst goalie in the NHL. His -13.4 GSAx is dead last in the league. Vanecek has quickly made a send-down to the AHL a real option. With the Devils schedule showing no signs of lightening up, a decision on Vanecek will need to be made sooner rather than later.
Do we even need the poll?
Your @NewAmsterdam Goal of the Game 👇🤩 pic.twitter.com/zMpMhMwD2E
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 12, 2024
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Jesper Bratt
With all of the injuries to the Devils top contributors, the team needed Jesper Bratt to step up. Fortunately, that’s what he’s done over the past few games. Stretching back to Jack Hughes’s injury Bratt has stepped his game up, but during this three-game road trip, he has been dangerous on the ice. Bratt found the back of the net in back-to-back games against the Lightning and Panthers. In both games, he also led the team in shots with seven and five respectively. Bratt is now the Devils leader in goals (16), assists (30), and points (46). The team will need his strong efforts to help stay afloat while they wait for their reinforcements to return from injury.
We’re gonna say this goal is Bratt’s because you should Vote Bratt.#NHLAllStarVote Jesper Bratt pic.twitter.com/HDbUy4vRBx
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 12, 2024
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The Power Play
What was once a beacon of light has now turned into a nightmare. For the majority of the season, the Devils had the number one power play in the league. While the percentage was unsustainable, they were still a top-two unit in the league and a threat at all times. Now they are a shell of themselves. Over the last three games, they are 0/4 and have given up a shorthanded goal. They currently sit fourth in the league at 27.6%. While that might not seem too bad, they are 0/12 and at one point had a 9% gap between themselves and second place for PP%. There’s no doubt that the injuries have hurt them, but with so many key guys out it’s even more imperative that they use the man advantage to score.
Main Photo: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
GO, SHORTY 👏 pic.twitter.com/YR3Dns1C5U
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 12, 2024
