Don’t doubt the Devils: Why it’s too early to write off their 2023-24 season

It can be argued that the New Jersey Devils were one of, if not the sexiest, pick to win the Stanley Cup going into the 2023-24 NHL season. After catching the entire hockey world by surprise with their incredible season last year, while adding some big pieces like Tyler Toffoli along with signing Timo Meier to a long-term deal, it was clear that this organization was committed to going for it all. 

While the expectations went from relatively mid to extremely high in just one season, the game changes a bit when a team has a target on their back. New Jersey made a ton of noise last year and teams weren’t going to sleep on them this season. 

The Devils have been riddled with injuries and to their credit — they still find themselves sitting two points back of the second Eastern Conference Wildcard spot. It has been a rollercoaster of 45 games, but if anything, the Devils showed Monday night just how dangerous they can be. 

It’s one of hockey’s biggest cliches to take things day-by-day, but this Devils group isn’t looking too far ahead. Someone who knows all about high expectations is two-time Stanley Cup champion Tyler Toffoli, who is bringing his winning pedigree to their locker room. He had a great night Monday, capping off a hat trick with the overtime winner in a 6-5 game against the Vegas Golden Knights. That was a much needed win for a group that needs all the points they can get. 

Jesper Bratt had a career-high of 10 shots on goal last night but didn’t have anything to show for it. He hit two posts in the overtime before Toffoli would find the eventual game-winner. 

“I said it wasn’t fair he hit the post twice, it should have been his, but I’ll take it,” Toffoli said with a laugh. 

“There wasn’t a time tonight when I thought Jesper [Bratt] looked tired on the ice. He’s a weapon when it comes to overtime. Every time he got the puck he was dangerous,” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff told Daily Faceoff.

Bratt and Toffoli are two of the key players that have needed to step up in the absence of the team’s franchise forward, Jack Hughes, who has missed 13 games this season due to injury.

“We’re a completely different team [without Jack Hughes]. When Jack’s in the lineup he takes games over,” Toffoli said. “You can tell when he’s not in the lineup it’s more of a team effort – more gritty. When he comes back it will be a good thing for us knowing that we can play a certain way and we can all continue to be the gritty-hard type of team to play against.”

Hughes was looking like a clear Hart Trophy candidate before his injury as he was leading the NHL with 20 points in 10 games up until Nov. 3. He now has 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) in 32 games played. It’s been hard not having Hughes out there, but it hasn’t changed the mentality of what the Devils are trying to achieve this season.

“It’s such a young group and everyone’s so excited. Even when we’re not playing our best we’re still excited to come here and work,” Toffoli told Daily Faceoff. “I’ve been around teams where sometimes you lose that focus and mentality – it hasn’t happened here. We’re in the mix, we’re in the hunt and I think that helps. It gives us some motivation with the young guys that come in and bring the energy everyday.”

Toffoli has gone from playing with leaders like Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar, whom he won Stanley Cups with in Los Angeles, to rallying around a younger captain like Nico Hischier.

“He’s one of the younger guys too that comes with a ton of energy,” Toffoli said. “I think he’s only played 400-plus games. Him getting a taste of what it felt like last year – he’s excited, he’s motivated and he’s trying to lead the way the best he can from what he knows.”

Despite the Devils not having Jack, they still have another Hughes who has elevated his game in his rookie season. Luke Hughes led all skaters in ice time last night, playing a total of 26:16 which is a ton of responsibility to ask of a 20-year-old in his first NHL season. Missing Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler, who make up the Devils’ top defensive pair, has been another massive hole that they’ve needed to fill. 

“For some of our young guys to start playing five games in eight nights, college guys that have never played five games in eight nights — when you’re young, I don’t think you’re physically ready for that type of grind,” Ruff told Daily Faceoff. “I thought his bounce back from the Dallas [Stars] game to this game was good. Kids are growing. His legs a couple times tonight, when he went through the neutral zone, were incredible.

Luke Hughes has eight goals and 17 assists for 25 points in all 45 games played this season.

Despite all the injury issues, these hockey fans in New Jersey got a taste of success last season and they know what this team is capable of, so they won’t accept anything less. The fans aren’t shy about letting the players know their feelings.

“I think it’s been multiple games that we’ve been booed off the ice,” Toffoli said. “They’re passionate, but the expectations have been extremely high all season long and nothing has changed. Even when we’re not playing well, they’re holding us to a standard.”

Toffoli calls being a Devil “awesome” and adds that his wife loves New Jersey, too, making the transition easier.

While things haven’t gone entirely the Devils’ way this season, Monday was a step in the right direction for a team that has a ton of faith in their locker room. They have two games coming up before a nice week off for the NHL All-Star break, which couldn’t come at a better time for a team that needs to get healthy.