First Quarter grades from ESPN
Preseason over/under: 101.5
Current points pace: 109.3
What's gone right? New Jersey at its best is playing hard, physical hockey. Cliche? Yes. True? Fact. The Devils were pushed around in seasons past, but the offseason addition of
Brenden Dillon, for example, has helped set a tone for New Jersey. Speaking of offseason moves, acquiring
Jacob Markstrom has (finally!) set the Devils up for success in net. Markstrom is providing a much-needed boost in goal (.907 SV%, 2.54 GAA) and that, along with New Jersey's overall defensive buy-in, has them sixth in goals against per game (2.61). Meanwhile,
Jesper Bratt (28 points in 23 games) and
Jack Hughes (25 points in 23) are packing a punch up front, and the Devils' special teams have been good. In most ways, New Jersey has performed right to expectations.
What's gone wrong? Inconsistency. New Jersey has lost to San Jose, only to beat Florida in consecutive games. The Devils have been blanked by Tampa Bay -- and then crushed the Hurricanes. Being shut out happens to the Devils too frequently, with their past three defeats all coming without a goal from New Jersey. It suggests a lack of depth scoring the Devils must address. And they have been average in shot generation (16th), another potential offensive issue that could slow New Jersey's progress. First-year coach Sheldon Keefe may still be getting his message across to the Devils.
Grade: B. New Jersey is right on pace with where it is supposed to be. Nothing wrong with that -- but it also feels like the Devils could be further ahead. They have weathered some injury issues but none so debilitating that the Devils couldn't rally. Putting together the same effort each night will move New Jersey along. Backsliding against the league's lowest-ranking teams only to rise against stiff competition rarely takes a club where it wants to go in April. The Devils establishing and maintaining an identity from here is critical.