The days of watching defensive breakdowns and a struggling d-core for the Devils are over after acquiring a few new pieces over the summer.
Brendan Dillon, Jonathan Kovacevic and Brett Pesce were added to the New Jersey Devils defense, thanks to GM Tom Fitzgerald. These three new additions to the team helped boost the struggling defensive pairs to some of the best defensive pairs in the league.
Kovacevic has been paired up with Jonas Siegenthaler for the season and has quietly become one of the best defensive pairs in the league. The pair has played over 333 minutes so far this season and have only been scored on eight times. They have even added to the offense at times as Siegenthaler has seven points and Kovaecevic has six. Siegenthaler had a down year last season, his resurgence could not have come at a better time.
Dougie Hamilton and Dillon have been an interesting defensive pair for the Devils. Hamilton, an offensive defenseman, has balanced out Dillon, who isn’t a player who is collecting points every game. Most of the Devils production from defense has come from this line as they have been on the ice for 20 goals for, but have also been on the ice for 20 goals against. Hamilton has 17 points in 23 games and seems to have just begun heating up for the Devils. A healthy Hamilton has been crucial for the Devils.
Pesce and Luke Hughes joined the Devils a bit later into the season, due to recovering from injuries. Pesce and Hughes were thrown into action at the same time after missing game time, so an adjustment was to be expected. After only 14 games together, this pairing has been everything the Devils were missing before they returned from injury. The veteran experience from Pesce mixed with the still-learning Hughes has had this pair playing some of their best hockey yet. Hughes has made a major jump in his defensive play, his points will come in time.
The success the Devils have been having is no doubt linked to how well the defensive pairs have played this season. The Devils 5v5 expected goals against per 60 comes in at 2.13, fourth overall in the league. The Devils also have been seen blocking more shots compared to last year, they average about 15 shots blocked per game.
With the Devils sitting near the top of the league, the defense needs to be playing at the level they have been playing at and remain healthy. With multiple defenders coming off of injuries during the offseason, playing time should be evenly dispersed between the pairs, making sure no one is overworked and risking an injury.
Is this the best defensive core the Devils have seen in years?
