The New Jersey Devils might have had a rough start to December, but it appears that the team is back on an even keel. After kicking off the month with a five-game losing streak, the Devils have won three of their last five games, even ending their power-play drought on Friday night against the Utah Mammoth.
With four games remaining before the new year, many players have returned to the lineup after missing extended periods of time. On Wednesday night, Brett Pesce returned to action after missing nearly two months with a hand injury. He’s had an immediate impact since re-joining the lineup, providing strength and stability for the Devils. Here are three factors of his game that have propelled the team to success.
Return of Hughes-Pesce
The combination of Pesce and Luke Hughes is one of the Devils’ greatest weapons. The veteran shutdown defenseman offsets Hughes’ offensive tendencies, and their on-ice chemistry is off the charts. According to data from Natural Stat Trick, Hughes-Pesce leads all defensive pairings in quite a few statistics, including scoring chances per 60 minutes (31.57 SCF/60) and expected goals for (2.96 xGF/60).
In Pesce’s return against the Vegas Golden Knights, the duo recorded 17:04 of ice time together and did not miss a beat. The two were on the ice for 25 shot attempts, nine shots for, and five high-danger scoring chances in their 2-1 shootout victory.
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Currently, Devils’ goaltenders have the highest save percentage (.957 SV%) with Hughes and Pesce on the ice together. But what makes this defensive pair unique is that they generate scoring chances at an impressive rate. Based on data from MoneyPuck, Hughes-Pesce is responsible for 47.14 unblocked shot attempts every 60 minutes, as well as 66.22 shot attempts.
Hughes shouldered additional responsibilities without his usual defense partner, which is something he received praise for in Pesce’s recent postgame interview. “He had to take on a lot of work. It’s not easy, especially as a 22-year-old kid still growing…Super proud of the way he’s handled that,” said Pesce. It’s clear that this duo is better together, and their reunion is already benefiting the Devils.
Penalty Kill Prowess
One important facet of Pesce’s game is his penalty-killing abilities. Even after missing an extended period of time, he still leads Devils’ defensemen in shorthanded ice time per game, averaging 3:16. He’s known for making smart plays that allow the Devils to clear the zone and shut down opponents. In fact, Pesce has been on the ice for just one goal against in 12 games — the lowest total among the club’s defensemen who have recorded at least five minutes of penalty kill ice time.
Without Pesce on the bench, the Devils struggled to clear the puck while shorthanded, so his return could not have come at a better time. As of right now, their penalty kill ranks 27th in the league, so they need the defensive structure that he provides.
For the second half of the season, the Devils need to focus on penalty kill consistency. Already, Pesce has made a difference shorthanded, acting as an anchor for the team. Since he’s been back, New Jersey has killed off six of their last eight penalties — a major improvement after giving up two power-play goals in one period against the Vancouver Canucks last week. From here, the Devils’ special teams can only get stronger.
Veteran Presence Boosting Team Morale
Perhaps the most important part of Pesce’s return is the veteran leadership that he provides. Without him in the lineup, it was less of an instant disaster and more of a slow decline, losses piling up as the cracks in their defense began to show. But from the moment Pesce hit the ice against the Golden Knights, head coach Sheldon Keefe said that the Devils’ morale skyrocketed, seeing him make crucial plays and battling until the very end.
Since then, they’ve played with more discipline and confidence, knowing that their tried and true blueliner will keep opponents at bay. Connor Brown was quick to echo these sentiments, sharing the value of Pesce’s game. “What he provides, the steadiness in his play, what he provides to the penalty kill alone…He’s a really, really important part of this group,” said Brown.
Slowly but surely, the Devils are moving closer to a full roster, hoping to build momentum headed into the new year. With Pesce back on their blue line, the team is headed in the right direction. And with Timo Meier, Jack Hughes, and Arseny Gritsyuk back in action, an improvement to their goalscoring is imminent. Here’s to hoping they can continue to turn things around.
