The New Jersey Devils Impressive Play Has Them Streaking To The Top Of The Eastern Conference
The New Jersey Devils are on a roll. Tuesday nights impressive 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets wasn’t just a win it was a win with an exclamation point on it. Throughout much of the first half the story was centered around the Devils inconsistency and their inability to take care of business against teams with far less talent. If the Winnipeg game is a measuring stick for how far this team has come than the rest of the NHL should take notice because this team is getting better with every game.
New Jersey has won five of six and are on the front end of a six game home stand that will take them up to the All-Star break. The Devils appear to be on the verge of breaking out and solidifying their hold on a playoff position. New Jersey is currently sixth in the Eastern Conference but the play Boston, Philadelphia, Buffalo and the New York Rangers in a row, all at home. With a possible eight points up for grabs and three of those teams sitting above them in the standings, it’s conceivable for New Jersey to be as high as the fourth seed by months end.
The Devils are using a balanced scoring attack unlike anything they’ve had in years but one playing is really starting to separate himself from the pack. The streaky Ilya Kovalchuck has seven goal over that same span giving him 19 for the season. He’s well on his way to his ninth 30 plus goal season in his career. Zach Parise has grabbed most of the media attention with his future in New Jersey still up in the air but it’s Kovalchuk that’s quietly been the Devils best player. Number 17 is often and unjustly the target of ire from friend and foe alike. It’s too bad people can’t step back and enjoy Kovalchuk for what he is–a very good hockey player. Sooner or later people will warm up to the idea that Kovalchuk is a key reason this team has been able to turn things around so quickly.
Martin Brodeur is never going to be his old-young self. It finally feels like the team is starting to adapt to the new-old Marty. If the Devils defenseman have truly figured out how to play in front of Brodeur and Marty himself is fully accepting of his limitations than it should pave the wave for a more consistent and cohesive goalie/defense relationship.
It will be interesting to see how the Devils respond on Thursday against Boston. The last time these two teams met the Bruins mopped the floor with New Jersey in a 6-1 win. The scab hasn’t quit healed yet from the gaping wound left after the loss, but you can bet the Devils are prepared and up to the task. Head coach Pete Deboer has done a fine job reeling his team in when they look too far ahead. If New Jersey keep playing good solid hockey, I can’t imagine him not getting some Jack Adams run. He has earned the right to at least be considered in the conversation.
It should be a fun two weeks and who knows on February 1st we could be talking about the Devils as Eastern Conference leaders. With all the the wacky turns this NHL season has taken it’s not too far out of the realm of possibility.
Are the Devils good or am I wearing kool-aid tinted glasses? Let me know what you think!
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I think your assessment of the Devils is pretty fair, although I don’t think there’s any way someone wins the Jack Adams over Ken Hitchcock.
You should have mentioned, though, how once again Patrik Elias has been the backbone of this team. No matter how bad things look for this team (especially the first half of last year), this guy comes through. He REALLY comes through on nights where there’s already something special going on.
Neidermayer’s night: 2 pts
Patty’s 1000th game: 3 pts
1000th game ceremony in NJ: 3 pts
They should make every home game a special occasion. Bring on Janne Ojanen night!
You are absolutely right about Elias. He never fails to disappoint. I figured I wouldn’t toot his horn too much because if you read enough of my stuff you’ll see that I hold Elias in extremely high regard. He is a special player and I’m positive Devils fans won’t truly appreciate him until he retires.
Regarding Deboer, Hitch may be the front runner but I believe if the Devils continue to rise in the standings than Pete has to at least be mentioned in the same breath as Hitch.
The devils are doing awesome this year!!! Henrique is a big contribution, and were also having our 2nd and 3rd liners like clarky and zubrus step up and grab some points! Elias is having an amazing year too! Pete deboer should at least be nominated to jack adams award, if not win, if the devils keep it up! PDB has totally changed the whole team this year, alongside with parise and kovalchuck! Go PDB and devils