New Jersey Devils notes: On a sleeping giant at 5v5 + shot contributions risers and fallers

The Devils' underlying process indicates they deserve much better results than they've gotten at 5v5.

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A few New Jersey Devils notes as we inch towards another game day:

The Devils are a sleeping giant

A lot has been made about their 5v5 outputs through the first four games. They have only found the back of the net three times, they own a -5 goal differential, Jack Hughes has just one point, and stars like Nico Hischier and Timo Meier have yet to find the scoresheet at all.

While some may point to those as reasons the Devils may not be as good as advertised, I see it another way. Stick with me for a moment.

The Devils started the year slowly but their underlying numbers are really starting to come around. The Devils rank 3rd in 5v5 shot share – behind only the Hurricanes and Oilers – and have controlled a larger share of the scoring chances (not high-danger, but total) than every team in the league.

While there is still room for growth in terms of xG, they are holding their head above water – and on an upwards trajectory – there as well. The key indicators are encouraging.

They are 2-1-1 despite having scored three goals at 5v5, the lowest total in the league. The Devils have generated 8.45 expected goals and converted them into 3 actual goals. They have scored just once on 23 high-danger chances. And they rank dead last in 5v5 goals per 60 despite slotting 1st in chances per 60.

Essentially, they’d have no luck if not for bad luck. And they have still managed to get results.

Call me crazy but I don’t think a loaded Devils team – led by consistently productive players like Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Dougie Hamilton, among others – is going to struggle scoring goals over the long haul; especially when controlling such a large share of the shots and chances.

They are going to garner positive results at 5v5 sooner rather than later. When that happens, look out.

Risers and fallers