Devils 3, Blackhawks 0: Teach me how to Dougie

Led by Dougie Hamilton, the Devils took care of business and reclaimed their spot atop the NHL standings.

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A few observations from New Jersey’s shutout victory over Chicago:

Dougie stole the show

I’m not sure there are words to describe the clinic Dougie Hamilton displayed against the Chicago Blackhawks; but this is a blog so I’m going to try!

Hamilton put forth one of the best offensive performances I have seen from a Devils defenseman since The Stone Age.

No. 7 threatened to score on his very first shift and followed that up with chance after chance after chance all night long. It legitimately felt like he found the scoresheet, or had a real opportunity to do so, every time over the boards.

Hamilton’s in-zone play was remarkable. While Chicago gave him perhaps a little too much space to work at the top of the zone, Hamilton wasn’t just happy taking what was there. He passed himself open on a couple of occasions and was quick to jump up and attack space any time Chicago swarmed the Devils’ puck carrier. He was a rover in the OZ, going wherever he could cause the most danger.

It didn’t matter if he was teeing off from the point, attacking up the wall, or pinching into the high slot as a trailer. He just continued to make plays and relentlessly go where the puck called for him.

When all was said and done, Hamilton generated 12 shot attempts, seven shots on target, five scoring chances, a goal, and a pair of assists.

As you’d expect from a player with such incredible individual numbers, the Devils fed the Hawks their lunch when Hamilton was on the ice; more so than any other player in the game.

With Hamilton out there at 5v5, attempts were 30-9, chances were 19-3, high-danger looks were 10-0, and Hamilton posted an 89.79 xGF%.

Add it all up and he finished with a Game Score above 6.0, clearly the highest we’ve seen from a Devils skater this season – and that bar is high!

The Holtz line showed promise