The New Jersey Devils have enjoyed the winter month of December. They’ve only played six games, but have gone an impressive 4-1-1 in that stretch. The team is coming off a five game homestand and enjoyed the home cooking. They were led heavily by their big stars who have carried the bulk load for the Devils this month. However, it’s the Devils’ depth that will need to start coming through.
The Big Dogs Carrying the Load
The Devils’ big dogs continue to carry the workload and shoulder a large portion of the production. You do want your best players to be your best players, and that’s what is happening with the team currently. Jesper Bratt continues to be a machine for the Devils and has two goals, eight assists, and ten points in December. Alongside him is Jack Hughes, whose four goals leads the Devils in the month of December.
Hughes has been dominant and during five-on-five play. When on the ice, the expected goals share is in the Devils favor (6.1-3.27) and the Devils are outscoring opponents 9-4. Hughes was a large factor in the win against the Kings. His goal grabbed the lead and he helped deliver the dagger late in the game and on the penalty kill.
With Bratt, it is quite similar. The expected goals share is also dominant (4.63-2.66) and the Devils outscoring opponents 9-2. They’ve been phenomenal as linemates and it’s playing a huge factor. However, the team needs a significant boost from other players in the lineup.
Depth Needs to Shine Through
The opportunities have been there, especially from an offensive standpoint. The Devils were not just good on the homestand, but dominant. The loss to the Maple Leafs stung the most not because of the loss, but because the team played so dominant and managed to lose.
As a team, the Devils controlled the shot attempts share and it translated to generating good scoring chances. Also, the shot differential was in favor of the Devils heavily. What stands out the most is their expected goals differential was 14.94-9.18, so the team was very opportunistic offensively.
As mentioned above, the stars are leading the way. But the depth players that were factoring into the game have managed to disappear this month. Erik Haula, Stefan Noesen, and Paul Cotter have not only been held scoreless, but pointless as well. They are three players the Devils need to step up on this road trip and help aid in the production.
Devils to Step Up on Road Trip
Stefan Noesen
Noesen has had good impacts on the game overall. Among Devils forwards, he is fourth in Corsi-for percentage (58.55) and the Devils are taking to the attack with him on the ice. They are dominant in the high-danger areas with him on the ice and good things with the puck seem to be happening with number 11 on the ice.
In all situations, Noesen has the most individual expected goals (3.45) in December, but only 0.88 coming during five-on-five play. He is a weapon on the power play as he is a tremendous front net presence.
Noesen has been a huge impact player since signing with the club. This month has seen him become snakebitten, but maybe that changes on this road trip. The opportunities are certainly there, more so on the power play, and it seems like he should break through sooner rather than later.
Paul Cotter
Cotter was a player that was growing on fans. He finally gives them their fix of physical hockey, having 102 hits on the season. Cotter started the season red hot, having eight points in the month of October and then saw it drop to four in November. There’s no denying that he is an impactful player and has a nose for the net. Unfortunately, it appears that the scent has tapered off and it’s nowhere to be found right now.
In terms of on ice impacts, Cotter has been one of the struggling Devils forwards. He has the fourth worst CF% (48.89) and the shot differential margins are closer than it is for majority of the team. His individual expected goals (0.26) at five-on-five play in December are only ahead of Kurtis MacDermid, so that’s not exactly good. Cotter is not a player that’s deployed on special teams, so his impacts need to be significantly better.
Erik Haula
Haula is an intriguing case. You know what he’s going to bring as an effective third line center. Haula is quick and has the ability to create offense. The only issue right now is that he is not burying his chances.
From an individual standpoint, Haula has been effective, much like Noesen. Among all Devils forwards, Haula is fifth in shot attempts, sixth in scoring chances, and is tied for third in high-danger attempts so far in December. It is certainly not for a lack of trying, as Haula is certainly doing his part and doing everything he can to make things happen.
His hard work has led to quality chances and expected goals, as on the season, he has generated the sixth most in all situations. It is certainly a cold spell for Haula. Is he gripping his stick too tight? Is he thinking too much and trying to do too much? Nobody truly knows the answer to that. But, him anchoring the third line and finding the scoresheet is huge heading into this road trip.
Cold Spells Happen, But Time to Heat Up
The beautiful thing about the game of hockey is things like this can change. If the top guys are not carrying the workload, the depth can come through and give the club a boost. Right now, the big guys are coming up large for the team and the depth has gone cold. It’s a team effort all around, but given we’re at the midway point of December it’s time for the depth to begin to shine through. All indications are that it is just a matter of time, given most have superb expected numbers.