Devils 6, Canucks 0: Nico Hischier continues to cook

The Captain set the tone early and picked up three more (primary) points in a blowout win over a good Canucks team.

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A few notes following New Jersey vs. Vancouver

Nico Hischier continues to cook 👨‍🍳

Was Nico Hischier a chef in another life? He must’ve been because this guy is cooking up something special every night.

The Vancouver Canucks are a good team. Thatcher Demko or not, they’re a good team. They entered play riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1) and their underlying numbers were very strong – especially since head coach Rick Tocchet revamped the top-6.

I thought the Devils would be in for a tight, grind-it-out game yet it was arguably their most dominant win of the season. Nico Hischier is the biggest reason why.

He set the tone very early, scoring on his first shift. The Devils caused a turnover high in the defensive zone and Dawson Mercer lugged the mail up ice before sliding the puck to Hischier, the hottest shooter in the NHL. Hischier made no mistake and the Devils gained a lead in the blink of an eye.

Fast forward to the 2nd period and Hischier and Mercer linked up again in similar fashion. The Devils caused a turnover high in the offensive zone and took it the other way for a shorty (in the game preview, I mentioned the Devils could do damage on the PK).

The very next shift Hischier picked up his 3rd point, dishing the puck to Timo Meier before the star winger gave us a reminder he’s the most natural goal scorer on the roster.

Just like that the Devils had a 3-0 lead with Hischier picking up a primary point on all three goals. By that point, the game was as good as finished.

If it feels like Hischier has hit another level this season, it’s probably because he has. The Devils are generating shots, chances, high-danger chances, expected goals, and actual goals at a higher rate during his minutes than ever before.

Although Hischier’s not going to continue shooting 22% forever, he scored on almost 15% of his shots just last year.

He is a very strong finisher and, with his increased volume, it’s not a coincidence we’re seeing a big spike in scoring. He won’t continue at this rate – but it’s very possible, if not likely, he will blow past his previous high of 31 goals.

Easing the burden 🍽️