Despite having a rough patch at the beginning of March, the New Jersey Devils are finally returning to their winning ways. The team is currently on a three-game win streak, a feat they have not achieved since the end of December. Following a few key Metropolitan Division matchups, the Devils have an eight-point cushion to maintain their current playoff spot.
Leading up to the trade deadline, many fans were concerned with general manager Tom Fitzgerald’s actions. However, one player has proven that his acquisitions were justified. Since making his debut, Cody Glass has done nothing but shine, and he is single-handedly reviving the Devils’ secondary scoring. Let’s take a look at his impact so far, as well as how he can improve their bottom-six forward group as the team makes a playoff push.
Cody Glass Makes Impressive Devils Debut
The Devils acquired Glass from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday (March 7), along with Jonathan Gruden, in exchange for Chase Stillman, Max Graham, and a 2027 third-round pick. Glass had just four goals and 11 assists before heading off to New Jersey, but made waves as soon as he put on a Devils sweater.
On Sunday, Glass scored the opening goal halfway through the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers, assisted by Stefan Noesen and Luke Hughes. He excelled on a line alongside Daniel Sprong and Erik Haula. The Glass-Haula-Sprong line was a massive success, with an impressive 93.03 expected goals for percentage (xGF%).
Against the Blue Jackets, Glass had another phenomenal game. He was even promoted to the second line, centering Haula and Jesper Bratt. Notching the primary assist on Bratt’s goal, he helped the Devils secure a three-goal lead. Then, in the third period, he earned another assist on Hughes’ goal.
Right At Home In Jersey
Glass had no trouble fitting in with his new teammates, expressing nothing but maturity when speaking to the media on Saturday. Following his first Devils practice, Glass admitted that he was excited for the opportunity to work under a new coaching system and potentially participate in a playoff race. “Every time I played New Jersey, it’s always fast offensive hockey, so if I can play within that system and help this team win, I’m going to do my best,” said Glass.
When asked about Glass, head coach Sheldon Keefe had nothing but praise for the Devils’ newest addition. He told The Hockey Writers: “I think he’s made really good, simple reads that are pretty universal in our game, that he’s getting right, which shows his level of intelligence, and then the level of skill.”
He also praised Glass’ playmaking abilities, citing his exceptional hockey IQ. “His ability to hang on to the puck and survey the ice, make the decision not to force the play…All those things are really good. I’ve been impressed with him, and I think he’s fit in really well from a personality standpoint too,” said Keefe.
Glass Shows Endless Potential
Obviously, his statistics come from a small sample of data, but Glass has shown nothing but potential. He has quickly developed into a dependable depth forward, which is exactly what the Devils have lacked in their recent slump. So far, he has a plus-4 rating and averages 14:25 ice time across three games.
Related: Get to Know New Devil Brian Dumoulin
Marketed as a dynamic two-way center, Glass has exceptional puck control, allowing him to mesh well with his teammates. Having a dependable bottom-six scorer could help keep the Devils’ playoff hopes alive. With just 15 games remaining in the regular season, acquiring Glass could be the first step toward consistent depth scoring.
Ironically, this is not the first time that Glass has played with some of his Devils teammates. Besides Paul Cotter and Dennis Cholowski, he also spent time with captain Nico Hischier leading up to the 2017 Draft. In fact, Hischier was his captain during the prospects game, and Glass admitted that his familiarity has helped him acclimate to the Devils’ system.
Upcoming Role in Devils’ Playoff Push
According to MoneyPuck, the Devils’ playoff odds are at 95.8%, which is a far more promising number than in previous weeks. Without so many key players, it’s essential that the team digs deep and finds a way to come out on top.
Glass has helped improve the Devils’ glaring weakness: secondary scoring. This could be the tipping point that allows them to make a final playoff push. The postseason hunt is far from over, but the Devils look to maintain momentum with crucial Metro Division matchups later this week.
