On the New Jersey Devils' new identity

David Mudrak breaks down the dramatic increase in physical play we've seen through the first ~25% of the season.

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By David Mudrak (@MuddyOpinions)

After dropping a game to the struggling San Jose Sharks, many fans were likely a bit worried as the New Jersey Devils approached a difficult week in which they needed to face the Stanley Cup Champions twice and then a very solid Tampa Bay squad.

While they have yet to play the Lightning, New Jersey already impressed with their two-game sweep of the Florida Panthers. In those two wins, and for much of the start of the season, the Devils have demonstrated that they have a new identity. 

After 20 games - just about a quarter of the regular season - New Jersey is beginning to form a new identity around the group of players general manager Tom Fitzgerald acquired this off-season.

With the help of Sheldon Keefe, the Devils have changed their play style to one that will likely benefit them in the long run, especially in the playoffs. 

Keefe was well aware of the shifting play style. In his post-game speech on Tuesday, he mentioned that the team “took a step.” He noted that it was only a step because they could not play a complete 60-minute game, spending plenty of time on their heels for the first half. However, with Jacob Markström holding up his end of the bargain, the team was able to find their footing and take it to the Panthers for most of the second half. 

The Devils’ ability to collect themselves after being outplayed and seeing their lead disappear was impressive. That level of compete and composure was not evident last year.

More impressively, New Jersey carried Tuesday’s momentum into Thursday and thoroughly defeated a talented and determined Panthers team to complete the two-game sweep, prompting Keefe to bump up his complements in the post-game speech. 

More than just a step, Keefe acknowledged that the team competed from “start to finish,” providing “everything we asked for on this trip.”

The head coach went on to say this was a critical moment for the group, telling them, “We are on our way to building a hockey team here.” Obviously, the Devils were already a hockey team, but Keefe is suggesting that they are building a hockey team with a true identity and one that will be able to compete well into the spring. So, what exactly has changed? 

The most notable change has been the team’s increase in the physical side of the game.