Captain (Assistant) Jack will get ya by tonight!
Jack Hughes stepped up in a major way. Two goals, including an absolute laser directly off of his own faceoff win, gave the Devils much needed and not often found, breathing room. A tremendous game by 86 had the opportunity to be legendary one if only he were able to bury that breakaway attempt in the closing seconds for the OT winner. The bobbled puck in the shootout is frustrating, but when your hands and feet move in ways that defy physics, sometimes science will try to correct you.
Either way Jack continues to impress and get better every game. Tremendous effort by him tonight.

Nico Daws shines
An absolutely rock solid performance (not sponsored by Prudential, but should be) by the 24 year old goaltender. With 25 saves, including 10 combined in the third period and OT and five more in the shootout, Daws looked dialed in. Has the complete 65+ minute effort earned him the net in Jacob Markstrom’s absence? I don’t think so just yet. However the leash for Jake Allen, who has only one win in his last nine starts, has gotten much shorter.

Erik Haula is back!
Haula’s return will pay huge dividends in what has been an often lopsided faceoff category with Nico Hischier and himself out of the lineup. He wasn’t great at just 27% on draws in the game, but that will get better as he adapts back from often lonely workouts and into NHL game speed.
Boy do we miss Michael McLeod…

Depth scoring needs to be addressed (not that I even need to tell you guys this)
There were just two goals in the game, both by Jack Hughes. While Cotter And Meier chipped in during the shootout, the Devils simply need more. Very curious to see how Tom Fitzgerald navigates this time leading toward the trade deadline.
Boy do we miss Michael McLeod…

Injury bug rearing it’s head at the wrong time
Jonas Siegenthaler is the latest casualty for the Devils. The 27 year old D man left the game in the first period, forcing the Devils to play with just five on the back line for the remainder of the game. Luke Hughes lead all devils defenders with 29:45 played in Siegenthaler’s absence. Time table for return will be evaluated today, as Head Coach Sheldon Keefe said the big defensemen “will miss time.” Will we see a Simon Nemec or Seamus Casey draw into the lineup? Or will TF look to Daniil Miysul to fill the void with his rugged style of play?

Next on the docket for the Devils, a hungry Vegas Golden Knights team that has lost four tight games in a row. With Vegas anxious to get back in the win column, the Devils will have to bring their complete 60 minute game. A style of game which has eluded them since the Christmas break.

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