New Jersey Devils Top Three Players in March
There’s no doubt this New Jersey Devils season has been a rollercoaster of emotions, especially through March. Players like Brian Dumoulin, acquired at the trade deadline, have done their jobs well, but it doesn’t help the inconsistency New Jersey continues to face. Last night’s 3-2 shootout win against the Minnesota Wild finished off the month of March for this Devils team, a good way to finish off the month and transition to the last month of the regular season. As April begins, let’s look back and recognize three key players that stepped up through March.
Nico Hischier
The New Jersey captain Nico Hischier has no doubt been one of the most consistent Devils players this season and continues to play his part. Hischiers help with faceoffs, currently leading the league in faceoffs taken, and his ability to keep scoring has been quite the motivation in the team's fight to clinch a playoff berth. Through March, the captain has totaled 17 points from 10 goals and seven assists, as well as a plus-minus of -1. To top it all off, Hischier had an impressive night in Minnesota just last Saturday as he went on to collect his second career hat trick and lead the team to a 5-2 win, while also breaking his career-high goals this season with 34. The offensive contributions of this captain should not be ignored, as he remains the leader of the Devils' top power-play unit with an outstanding 26 points all while being a force to be reckoned with in the faceoff circle. Hischier is undoubtedly a key player in this Devils team and has sent the message clear to the fans that this team won’t go down easy.
Cody Glass
A key issue to this Devils team since the absence of Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton was a complete lack of effort in the bottom six. Cody Glass, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins, has surprised fans as he has provided some big help. The former sixth overall pick so far has not had much numbers to brag about, but since coming to New Jersey, some extra minutes have shown some potential in the young center. The presence alone of Glass has seemed to improve the bottom six majorly, with players like Erik Haula and Paul Cotter scoring recently. Even his numbers are quite impressive, totaling six points with two goals and four assists so far in his first eight games with New Jersey. In the end, it’s his presence alone that has helped his fellow teammates step up that earns him the recognition here. Despite the constant complaints about Tom Fitzgerald's performance at the deadline, Glass can undoubtedly be said as a major win.
Luke Hughes
New Jersey is without Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler, two major defensemen in this soon-to-be playoff team, meaning the remaining defensemen were needed to step up. Luke Hughes has truly done more than step up, he’s gone beyond, giving the vibe of a veteran. The 21-year-old totaled 16 points with two goals and 14 assists through March, as well as averaging 23:55 of ice time. Hughes along with defenseman Brett Pesce have become a total shutout defensive line, as well as doing wonders shot-wise. Offensive-wise, Hughes has also stepped in the absence of his brother Jack, his point production has shown fans he is a Hughes brother. While he has very little postseason experience, he will undoubtedly be a key player in the postseason against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Going Forward
Six games remain for the Devils in the regular season, and they remain with a solid group for the playoffs. Though they’ve had their moments in March, consistency must be found to show NHL fans that they have what it takes. Their previous postseason matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes in 2023 was nothing but a bloodbath, and they look to not let history repeat itself. To match with Carolina, this Devils team must continue to step up if they are to have a chance to compete. Let's hope finishing the regular season off strong is the first step to something great.
