{"id":133420,"date":"2022-11-15T14:53:02","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T19:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=133420"},"modified":"2022-11-15T14:53:02","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T19:53:02","slug":"lindy-ruff-new-jersey-devils-streak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/11\/15\/lindy-ruff-new-jersey-devils-streak\/","title":{"rendered":"Lindy Ruff’s Retribution Helping New Jersey Devils Extend Winning Streak"},"content":{"rendered":"

Admitting you\u2019re in the wrong is never easy. But that\u2019s exactly what New Jersey Devils<\/a> fans did in the Prudential Center on November 12th. As a 4-2 victory over the Coyotes extended the Devils\u2019 nine-game win streak, chants of \u201cSorry, Lindy!\u201d echoed around the Rock, a callback to the \u201cFire Lindy\u201d yells heard only a month ago. Head coach Lindy Ruff<\/a> had a rough start to the season, losing their first two games and giving Devils fans a distinct sense of deja vu as they prepared for another disappointing season<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, since October 15th, the Devils have only lost one game, currently hold the longest active win streak in the NHL at nine games, and sit atop the Metropolitan division with 24 points. It\u2019s been a team effort to turn things around, but excellent performances from a young core and solid secondary offensive effort have been key to the Devils\u2019 upswing.<\/p>\n

Lindy Ruff’s New Jersey Devils On Nine-Game Win Streak<\/h2>\n

When Nico Hischier<\/a> was made captain of the Devils in 2021, he was the youngest captain<\/a> in the NHL. At just 22 years old, many doubted if the former first-overall pick had what it takes to lead an NHL team. In a career marked by injuries until this point, Hischier has not been able to show his full potential as a scorer and playmaker. He was good, staying in the top five goal scorers<\/a> through each of his first four seasons, but never playing with the confidence expected of a first-overall pick. This season, the story is completely different.<\/p>\n

O Captain, My Captain<\/h3>\n

Through 14 games played, Hischier is the Devils\u2019 leading goal scorer with eight goals and is second in points to teammate Jesper Bratt<\/a>. He\u2019s on pace for a 93-point season, blowing his current record of 60 points in the 2021-22 season out of the water. He has a current points\/60 percentage<\/a> of 3.74, up 1.08 from last year. Hischier\u2019s offensive upswing comes coupled with elite defence. As the first-line center, Hischier is often matched up against the best of the best, players like Nathan MacKinnon<\/a>, Johnny Gaudreau<\/a>, and Leon Draisaitl<\/a>. When Hischier was on the ice against those three players, New Jersey held the advantage in both shot attempts and expected goals<\/a>. Hischier is contributing massively on both ends of the ice and coupled with great performances from perennial scorers Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes<\/a>, New Jersey\u2019s young core seems to be finally finding their footing.
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>