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Devils' Slow Start: Offense, Defense, and Goaltending Woes
7 Oct
Summary
- Devils have not held a lead for more than one second this season.
- Defensive pairings outside of Hughes-Pesce are struggling significantly.
- Goaltending tandem of Allen and Daws needs improvement.
The New Jersey Devils have experienced a disappointing start to their season, marked by consecutive losses that have overshadowed their opening win. A significant issue is the team's inability to play from ahead, having held a lead for only one second thus far. This mirrors past struggles, as teams scoring first typically win over 66% of games.
Defensively, only the Luke Hughes-Brett Pesce pairing has performed consistently well. Other pairings, including Jonas Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton, and Brenden Dillon with Declan Chisholm, have shown significant weaknesses. The goaltending tandem of Jake Allen and Nico Daws has also struggled, with both needing to improve their performance to secure wins.
The power play has shown minor improvement, scoring its first goal on a 5-on-3 advantage, moving from 0/9 to 1/14. However, zone entries and finishing remain concerns, with the top unit needing better execution from key players like Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt.
Coach Sheldon Keefe has expressed strong critiques regarding the team's mental fortitude and preparation, suggesting a lack of readiness and a tendency to mentally check out when trailing. This inconsistency raises questions about the team's mental toughness, a trait often found in elite, consistent teams.
