The New Jersey Devils were recently embarrassed by their rivals, the New York Rangers, causing star center Jack Hughes to emphasize the need for an attitude adjustment within the team. After suffering a 5-1 loss to the Rangers, who were on a winning streak, Hughes expressed the importance of believing in themselves and not just talking about changing their attitude, but actually implementing the necessary changes.
Following their victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stadium Series, the Devils faced two consecutive losses to Metro Division rivals. With a 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Washington Capitals and a blowout loss to the Rangers, the team finds themselves in a vulnerable position as their playoff hopes diminish. Currently, the Devils trail behind both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference standings.
One of the glaring issues for the Devils has been their struggling power play. Despite having multiple opportunities with a man advantage in recent games, the team has failed to convert on their power play chances. This was evident in the game against the Rangers, where the Devils squandered a five-minute power play opportunity and were unable to capitalize on their chances. The lack of success on the power play has been a significant factor in the team’s recent losses.
With key defenseman Dougie Hamilton sidelined for a significant portion of the season due to injury, the Devils have had to rely on rookies Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec to quarterback their power play. While they have shown promise, there have been instances of mistakes and poor decisions on the defensive end. However, coach Lindy Ruff remains optimistic about their potential for growth and development.
Jack Hughes pointed out that the team’s offense was too passive against Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin, who made 39 saves during the game. Despite the Devils registering 40 shots on goal, the lack of quality scoring chances and overly reliant on perimeter shooting didn’t trouble the Rangers’ netminder. Hughes himself acknowledged that he needs to elevate his performance to help lead the team in making a late push for the playoffs.
Hughes, who recently returned from an upper-body injury that kept him out of 11 games, acknowledged that he is not yet playing at his best. While he has managed to contribute with 3 goals and 3 assists in his seven games back, there is still room for improvement. Coach Ruff admitted that Hughes is not at 100% physically, but praised his effort and determination on the ice.
The New Jersey Devils are facing a challenging road ahead as they strive to secure a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With the team needing to make significant adjustments to their attitude, power play, and offensive strategy, it will be crucial for players like Jack Hughes to step up and lead the team in the final stretch of the season. Only time will tell if the Devils can overcome their obstacles and make a push for postseason success.
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