New Jersey Veteran Forward Stays Hot with Goals in Three Straight
To go all out in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, players need to step up in big ways. If every player on the team isn’t playing like they want it, they may get far, but not all the way. The New Jersey Devils are looking for any player to step up these days as they continue their push to keep the playoff dream alive. With the absence of Jack Hughes, these Devils have surely looked different as they come off their third straight loss in overtime to the Vancouver Canucks. More players need to step up and help spark this Devils team back to the win column; their captain, Nico Hischier, can’t do it all on his own. With the postseason weeks away, players need to find a way to get red hot, and one Devil has definitely begun to pick up his game. Although they didn’t come out on top in their previous three, New Jersey veteran forward Erik Haula is surely not to blame.
Through the Devils’ three straight losses, Erik Haula has picked up a goal and all three. It began with a goal against the Calgary Flames to put them up 2-0, a late goal against the Ottawa Senators to bring them within one, and a goal against Vancouver to retake a 3-2 lead. Despite falling in all three, Haula was clearly one of the only ones wanting wins in all three, but no doubt their defense has also fallen as of late due to the absence of Dougie Hamilton. Aside from goals in three straight, Haula has also picked up six points in his last seven. Though his numbers will be nowhere as good as previously, a strong finish is quite big for a Devils team needing everything they can against the Carolina Hurricanes, most likely. Fans should not forget his notable performance in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Rangers, scoring four goals and picking up six points in a seven-game series win. If his performance in the postseason goes unchanged, he gives them a fighting chance, no doubt.
As the season reaches its final stretch, Erik Haula has certainly seen better years, but his possible strong finish will not be ignored. Through the course of 59 games played this season, Haula has nine goals and eight assists, which total for 18 points and a minus-seven rating. Switching up to the postseason, Haula has 16 goals and 20 assists, totaling up to 36 points and a minus-18 rating through 73 playoff games, not exactly the stuff of legend, but these playoffs are as unpredictable as any sport. His previous seasons in New Jersey can surely prove when he’s playing his best, he can provide some solid production offensively, something very much needed as Jacob Markström continues his struggle. As Haula remains hot, New Jersey looks to bounce back with a win against the Chicago Blackhawks in the United Center. With a matchup against a team already eliminated from the playoffs, let's see if the 34-year-old veteran can continue his point or goal streak another night, let's hope so.
