Devils Sit on Top of the Standings Through Two Weeks. Can Jack Hughes and the Devils Continue Their Dominance?

Through two weeks of the NHL season the New Jersey Devils have stood on top of the league, going 5-2-0 through 7 games. It’s important to note that the Devils did play 2 games ahead of everyone else in Prague against the Buffalo Sabers for the NHL global series, in which they swept the Sabers 2-0 in dominant fashion.

This Devils team looks to show the league up, as last year they had a disappointing year; With a substantial amount of star power but injuries and question marks for the goalie position, the team struggled in the last couple months of the season not being able to gain traction into the NHL playoffs finishing the season 38-39-5. They also fired head coach Lindy Ruff 61 games into the season and promoted associate coach Travis Green to interim head coach. The Devils did decide to go in a new direction for the 2024-2025 season, hiring Sheldon Keefe, former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach from 2019-2024. Keefe Went 212-97-40 and 16-21 in the playoffs. Keefe is looking to establish stronger line connections like he did in Toronto with guys like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. The team has assimilated nicely to his high-pressure offense usually running a 3-2 with sometimes a high man forechecking.

Another key piece to this Devils team is their goaltending. They acquired Jacob Markstrom from the flames this offseason with the departure of hopeful starter Mackenzie Blackwood who was underwhelming due to injuries and COVID complications during the pandemic that prevented him from reaching the potential of an elite goalie. Markstrom has played very well and is a major improvement through his stint as a Devil so far posting a 3-2 record so far with a 2.43 GAA and a .918 save percentage playing solid through all 5 of his games played.

A huge boost in this lineup is unexpected riser Paul Cotter, who was dealt to the Devils in a deal during the 2025 NHL Draft. Cotter has 5 goals and 1 assist for 6 points in 7 games. Coach Keefe has him on the second line currently with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. Cotter brings a combination of physicality and goal scoring prowess. He is always around the net and has a nose for the corner as well being able to forecheck well and fits nicely into Keefe’s scheme. This season could be a big one for Cotter and is almost on pace for a point per game average. If all goes well Cotter could have a similar season to last year breakout star Tage Tompson who plays quite similarly.

All in all, the Devils have a real shot at claiming the Metropolitan division and even the Presidents Trophy if this team can stay disciplined and avoid injuries. They will also have to look to their established stars, like the Hughes brothers and Nico Hischier, to bolster the offense and defense in a tightly contested metropolitan division where no teams are undefeated anymore.

Devils Sit on Top of the Standings Through Two Weeks. Can Jack Hughes and the Devils Continue Their Dominance?

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