Simply put, things have been going pretty well for the New Jersey Devils. Their 18-9-2 record puts them second in a very competitive Metropolitan Division, slightly behind the Washington Capitals. It's easy to look at the Devils' high-scoring top line, featuring talented forwards like Jack Hughes and Nikita Kucherov, and attribute their success primarily to those superstars.
However, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture. In a recent interview, Devils players Keefe and Luke Hughes shed some light on a crucial aspect of their team's success: defensive depth. According to Hughes, having a robust defensive lineup has been instrumental in the Devils' strong start to the season.
'It's huge for us,' Hughes said. 'Being able to roll out three, four lines that can all play solid D, it's tough on other teams.'
Keefe echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of being able to match up against opponents' top lines and still manage to stifle their scoring chances.
'When we're playing against the other team's top lines, we feel confident that our guys can shut them down,' Keefe said. 'It's a huge boost for our team when we know we can match up and be successful.'
The numbers back up Hughes and Keefe's assertions. The Devils have allowed an average of just 2.79 goals per game, which ranks among the best in the league. They've also been able to limit opponents' high-danger scoring chances, with an impressive 55.6% high-danger chance sharing percentage.
While it's unlikely that the Devils will be able to maintain this level of success throughout the entire season, their focus on defensive depth has undoubtedly been a key factor in their strong start. As the season progresses, it'll be interesting to see if they can continue to build upon this foundation and make a deeper playoff run.
For now, Devils fans can take heart in knowing that their team's success isn't just due to their superstars; rather, it's the result of a well-rounded roster with a keen focus on defense.