New Jersey Devils notes: On Vanecek's strong play, ZetterWood, and more

Vitek Vanecek has given the Devils everything they could have hoped for and more. Plus, notes on a surprisingly effective duo, high-danger shot share, and Dougie Hamilton.

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A few notes New Jersey Devils notes on this off-day:

Miracles do happen

I liked the Vitek Vanecek trade. Heck, I really liked it. A couple of days after it was completed I praised the move, suggesting trading for Vanecek was “legitimately one of the best bets Fitzgerald could have made.”

While Vanecek didn’t grade out amazingly well in terms of Goals Saved Above Expected, and disappointed for the Washington Capitals in the playoffs, there was a lot to like beneath the surface.

Vanecek finished top-10 in save percentage, and high-danger save percentage, at 5v5 a season ago.

His struggles were on the penalty kill, in 3v3 situations, etc. I suggested that smaller samples could provide variance Vanecek ended up on the wrong end of; or that playing for a better penalty killing team – the Devils are always good while undermanned – could provide Vanecek the boost he needed. Whatever the case, I thought it was worth betting on the 5v5 prowess and working on the rest.

But never in my wildest dreams did I expect what Vanecek has provided the Devils thus far. Through 17 games he owns a .922 save percentage – league average is .899(!!) – and has lost only two decisions in regulation.

More important than the raw save percentage itself is the consistency we have seen from Vanecek. He was shelled in his debut start with the Devils.

Since that point, only once did the Devils lose *and* Vanecek post a sub .900 save percentage. He is giving the team a chance every single night.

Akira Schmid has picked up some slack as well – and deserves credit for that – but Vanecek has been the go-to-guy for a Devils team that ranks 4th in team save percentage this season. 4th!

After several seasons of goaltending taking away any chance of the Devils being competitive, they’re now getting some of the best goaltending in the league.

The workload hasn’t been overly difficult relative to what some other guys deal with but Vanecek has shown, especially of late, he can handle himself just fine when he’s really needed.

As good as the Devils have been thus far, they’re not running away with the Metro Division sans Vanecek. What a gift.