New Jersey Devils face tough test in schedule
While the New Jersey Devils are off to a strong start, their next four games should be a tough test for the young team.
Many projected the New Jersey Devils to finish towards the bottom of the NHL standings this season. It’s merely been a week since the season started, but they’re already exceeding expectations.
The Devils, led by surprising rookies Jesper Bratt and Will Butcher, have two impressive wins under their belt. They’ve scored 10 goals while allowing just three, beating the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres.
However, the Devils haven’t proven much so far. They’ve only beaten teams expected to be terrible. The Devils have yet to beat a team that made the 2016-17 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This will change, as New Jersey will face three consecutive playoff teams and five postseason teams in their next six games.
Maple Leafs
On Wednesday, the Devils will face the Toronto Maple Leafs. So far, the Leafs have exceeded their lofty expectations, as they look like legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Their offense has been especially stellar, as their 19 goals are the most of any team with three games played entering Wednesday.
Moreover, the Leafs have proven to be relentless, as no lead is safe against them. Toronto should be a very good test for New Jersey. Even if they don’t win against the Maple Leafs, the Devils have an opportunity to show they can hang with the best teams in the NHL. A good game on Wednesday would be an impressive statement.
Capitals
On Friday, the Devils will face the Washington Capitals, who have been the best regular season team in the NHL in each of the past two seasons. New Jersey got one win against the Caps in four games last season. And in 2015-16, the Devils didn’t get a single win against them, though they took them to overtime twice.
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Washington will also be New Jersey’s first Metropolitan Division opponent of the 2017-18 season. A win would be huge for them, as they can get an early advantage on the Caps. Also, the Devils have the opportunity to prove to the rest of the division that they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Rangers
On Saturday, Oct. 14, New Jersey will face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The Devils have done reasonably well against the blue shirts recently, as they got four points against them in four games last season. And even though the Rangers are off to a 1-3-0 start, they’re still a very dangerous team.
The Devils will have to beat the blue shirts despite being on the second end of games on back-to-back nights. But at least they won’t have to travel far. And at least the Rangers will be playing the second end of games on back-to-back nights as well. Still, the blue shirts and their speed should be a good challenge for the Devils.
Lightning, Senators, and Sharks
After playing three games in four nights against three playoff teams from last season, the Devils won’t get much of a break. They’ll have to face the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team many predict to be a serious Stanley Cup contender out of the Eastern Conference, on Tuesday. It will be a home game, but the New Jersey Devils will be facing one of the few teams who might be able to match, and perhaps exceed, their speed.
New Jersey will then travel to face the Ottawa Senators, who present a unique challenge for the Devils, on Thursday. Ironically, the Devils will be facing perhaps the best trap the NHL has seen since their own. Ottawa should be a tough team for New Jersey because they seem to have a good formula for beating fast teams.
On Friday, the New Jersey Devils will return home to face what will most likely be a very desperate San Jose Sharks team. Anytime they’re arguably your weakest opponent over a six-game stretch, that’s a good sign you’re in for one heck of a challenge.
Next: 3 Burning Questions For The Devils
The Devils have a chance to prove a lot to their critics, and perhaps themselves, over the next six games. New Jersey has looked extremely good early on. Their speed is remarkable.The Devils are clearly on the right path to building a contender, but are they much further along than originally thought? Their next six games should give us a clear answer.