When everyone thinks of the New Jersey Devils, they think defense first. And to be fair, that’s accurate. However, over the years, when the Devils found success, and most recently not so much, but when they did make the playoffs under former head coach Lindy Ruff and Sheldon Keefe, they were playing a fast, attacking, relentless style of game that kept the opponent pinned in their defensive zone.
However, over the past couple of seasons, each game has been an adventure because the players can’t consistently put together games in that style. Fair or not, it has been the case. Whether it’s too much player turnover, players not being able to pick up systems, or buying into a style of play, the list goes on.
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New General Manager Sunny Mehta has come in and put his fingerprints on this group. He is putting together a roster that can play that style of game. The group he has assembled is good enough to make the playoffs, even with the questions between the pipes. Regardless, the New Jersey Devils need to get back to the style of play that made them successful in the past.
As Jim Biringer of TheDevilsNation.com, NHLRumors.com, and Full Press Hockey told Sirius XM NHL Network Radio, if the New Jersey Devils play on their toes instead of being a counterattack team, they will find success this season.
TheDevilsNation.com Transcriptions
Host: “So historically, this has been a defensive-first team, though there were a couple of seasons where they were either first or second in goal scoring. I know that’s happened, folks, but traditionally, if you think of the Devils, you think defense first, do you not?”
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Jim Biringer: “Yeah, you always think defense first. I mean, it’s funny when, when you bring up New Jersey, and you go actually dive into the numbers, as you said, Mick, you could find where they were top 10 in offence, back in those cup years. Back in 2000, 2001, you could find them being top 10, even one in offensive output in the National Hockey League.
But recently they’ve tried to play this counterattack, and I think that when they’re at their best, you saw it in 2023. Again, did they take the league by storm? Did no one take them seriously? I’m not going to say that, but they did come out of nowhere with this fast, relentless attacking style. When they’re on their feet, on their toes, moving the puck, cycling down low, they’re very tough to play against. You’ve seen it with Carolina; you’re seeing it with Florida, New Jersey, the Montreals of the past.
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You limit a team to 20 shots or less, you’re going to win hockey games. The Devils did that under Sheldon Keefe, and even Travis Green and Lindy Ruff; they won hockey games. 2023 perfect example: that’s the way they need to play, and that’s their identity, and I don’t think they could just sit back and counter; they have to be aggressive from the drop of the puck.
Because when you’re chasing a game, that’s not how the Devils play. Because that’s when mistakes happen, and guys try to do too much, and that’s when they lose games. If they’re on their toes, attacking, being relentless, like their style was in 2023 when they made the playoffs and made the second round. That’s when they can be the most successful.”
Can the New Jersey Devils bounce back this season and be a playoff contender?
The New Jersey Devils shouldn’t abandon playing smart defensive hockey, which has been their staple for years, but the more time they spend on offence, the more it will protect their goalies from facing more than 20 shots a game.
As the old saying goes, the best defence is a good offence. The New Jersey Devils have shown they can do it. This is the year the players have to put it all together and prove they can be a consistent playoff team for many years to come.
