Timo Meier the unfortunate poster boy for Devils' finishing woes
Timo Meier has efficiently generated chances but the puck just hasn't gone in.
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The New Jersey Devils have had a miserable time scoring goalsfor an abundance of reasons.
They don’t have enough finishing throughout their lineup, they lack puck-movers, and they don’t generate enough opportunities in transition. That leads to a lot of possessions working against set defenses.
As problematic as anything, though, is that they simply can’t put away the chances they do get.
The Devils rank dead last in goals scored above expectation and Timo Meier might be the poster boy for their struggles.
He is scoring at a pace of 23.6 goals per 82 games. That’s not a bad total but certainly not $8.8 million worthy – and the worst of any full season in his NHL career.
It’s not for a lack of chances. Not in the slightest. Meier is generating high-danger looks at the highest rate since 2018-19 and he has never averaged more expected goals per 60. He just can’t put them away.
Meier’s finishing rate of 8.06% is well below his first two full seasons with the Devils (13.53%, 10.88%) and the lowest it’s been since 2020-21.
Oh, and it has never taken him more chances or high-danger opportunities to score a goal than it has this season.
