On the ill-timed scoring droughts of Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer
Hischier and Mercer have piled up the chances of late. Unfortunately, none of them have found the back of the net.
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Goal scoring – or a lack thereof – has plagued the Devils for the better part of a year. Their struggles have become even more apparent of late.
They have won just four of their past 12 games and averaged 1.81 goals per 60 along the way.
That ranks them dead last in the NHL, just behind a Chicago team that has played its last handful of games without Connor Bedard. Not great.
While a lack of secondary scoring has certainly factored into New Jersey’s woes, they haven’t gotten enough from their big guns either.
Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer have gone through extreme dryspells that have completely cratered the team’s offense.
Hischier has not scored in 12 straight games despite piling up 64 attempts, 33 shots on target, 16 Grade A chances, and 4.09 expected goals.
Similarly, Mercer has seen 53 attempts, 25 shots on target, 19 Grade A chances, and 3.90 expected goals amount to absolutely nothing.
Forget about everyone and everything else – depth issues, injuries, Dougie Hamilton turning into a pumpkin (one point since November 1st). Forget it all.
Hischier and Mercer alone have scored eight (well, 7.99) fewer goals than expected over the past 12 games. Eight!
If not for a Peyton Krebs empty-netter on the 21st, the Devils would be riding a streak of six consecutive one-goal games. Those goals could’ve made a world of difference.
