The New Jersey Devils inched nearer to historical past with a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday evening. They have now gained 13 straight video games and, in the event that they maintain successful, could have the chance to interrupt the NHL file in lower than two weeks.
The 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins at present maintain the file for essentially the most consecutive video games gained in a daily season with 17. That group was coming off its second straight Stanley Cup and included the likes of Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Ron Francis. In the years for the reason that Penguins went on that tear, solely a few groups have come near touching that file.
The 2012-13 Penguins hit 15 wins earlier than taking a lossThe 2016-17 Columbus Blue Jackets obtained all the way in which to 16 consecutive wins earlier than having its streak snapped.
Can this Devils squad do what these groups couldn’t? To reply that query, let us take a look at what New Jersey has performed thus far all through the lifetime of this streak earlier than we peek forward to what’s coming down the highway.
The Devils started this prolonged successful streak on Oct. 25 with a win over the Detroit Red Wings, they usually have been essentially the most dominant group within the NHL since. New Jersey has crushed 10 completely different groups with a mixed file of 83-79-20. Throughout the lifetime of their present successful streak, the Devils have managed 58.82% of the anticipated objectives at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick.
That mark is the perfect within the NHL.
Of course, they do not blare horns and play songs for anticipated objectives. When it involves the precise objectives which were scored at five-on-five, the Devils have been even higher. Since the beginning of their successful streak, New Jersey has scored 37 objectives at five-on-five, which places them on the prime of the league in that class. At the opposite finish, the Devils have given up simply 13 five-on-five objectives. That is tied for first with the Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken.
When taking a look at particular person gamers, one key to the success of this Devils group has been the event of their younger stars.
Jack Hughes has six objectives and 18 factors in his final 13 video games.Jesper Bratt is tied for eleventh within the NHL in factors with 24.Nico Hischier has been a big-time play driver for the Devils, and he seems extra like a No. 1 general decide.After a down yr in 2021-22, Dougie Hamilton (who’s just a few years older than the names above) is again to trying like a real No. 1 defenseman.
Getting these skaters to play as much as their potential has been essential for the Devils, however make no mistake about it, the largest issue on this successful streak is that they’re lastly getting dependable goaltending. Last season, the Devils had a group save share of 88.1%, which was thirty first within the NHL. In this 13-game successful streak, the New Jersey goaltenders have mixed for a save share of 95.2%, which is second within the league. The Devils have handled accidents in internet, but when that general efficiency can proceed over the subsequent few weeks, they’ll completely set a brand new file for consecutive video games gained.
The Devils’ subsequent 5 video games come in opposition to 5 completely different groups. They have video games in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers and Nashville Predators. Those groups have a mixed file of 52-53-10, which comes out to roughly the identical successful share than that of the groups the Devils have already crushed.
Wednesday evening’s recreation in opposition to the Maple Leafs can be powerful, and the Rangers can be extremely motivated to finish the streak, however New Jersey would be the higher group in every of its subsequent 5 contests by any measure. Still, understanding the NHL, it could be a group just like the Sabres or Capitals that ends the Devils’ dominant run.
Between a gifted roster taking part in elite hockey and a considerably favorable schedule, the Devils have what it takes to surpass the 1992-93 Penguins and make historical past. Even if they do not, they’ve confirmed that they’ve put the remainder of the NHL on discover.
