The Devils are 18 games into the season, and one thing is for sure: they struggle with consistency.
The Devils began the season with a new head coach and a new system, with players coming off surgeries/injuries and trying to create new chemistry throughout the lineup. It made sense for the Devils to have a few games adjusting, but almost a fourth of the way through the season, it has to be asked…Is there a reason for concern?
In the first five games of the season, the Devils went 4-0-1. They scored three or more goals in their wins and only allowed four total opposing goals through four games, including one shutout. They then went on a losing skid, dropping the next five of six games.
It seemed that the Devils were going to turn things around after a 6-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on home ice, followed by a 6-0 win against the Vancouver Canucks. These two games were about as perfect as can be for the Devils. Special teams were playing well, the defense was playing the best it had been, goaltending looked spectacular, and everyone was helping produce goals.
So, how do you explain a 3-0 lackadaisical loss against the Calgary Flames? Little to no effort, lazy plays and weak goaltending. That was followed by a four-game win streak, which ended with a 1-0 loss against the San Jose Sharks against former Devils’ goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood on Sunday.
There is every excuse in the book for the Devils; four back-to-backs in 18 games, flights across the country, adjusting to the new system, but it’s time to get rid of the excuses and learn from it.
The Devils need to learn how to be consistent if they look to make the playoffs come April. Losses like San Jose are ones the Devils will wish they got two points from when they are pushing for a playoff spot. The Devils showed they can win against top, mid-tier, and bottom-level teams but have also shown they can lose to anybody.
With the Devils’ roster, they should be a top team in the league. However, inconsistency from goaltenders, special teams, and effort from the players is going to take away any chance of them being cup contenders if they do not turn things around soon.
The Devils have a big week ahead of them as they travel to Florida to play two games against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, and then end their road trip against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Every team will have a bad game once in a while, but the Devils’ inability to string together a four-game win streak since the 2022-23 season proves they are not ready to be a top team.
Will the Devils be able to prove they can be a consistent team?
