Digging out the Devils

    I haven't written much about the New Jersey Devils recently.

Not playing a game for a few weeks due to a Covid-19 breakout for the team doesn't help with material, but give the team credit in their return with two impressive wins.

While the return (5-2) victory over the struggling New York Rangers gave the team an always appreciated win over a rival, it was the win over the Boston Bruins that is the win that can make an observer optimistic.

The Bruins are playing well, are in first place in the division, and hadn't lost a game at home in their first four games, so considering all of those facts, and the Devils are in their second game since their return, you can see why the Bruins were expected to put another notch on their lipstick case- if you keep track of wins on a lipstick case as Pat Benatar used to.

So, it only made sense for the Devils to score three goals in the second period and score a 3-2 upset win.

I'll try to get back into game coverage for the next game against Buffalo (no promises on a boxing Saturday), but it was nice to see Kyle Palmieri wake up with his first two goals of the season, Mackenzie Blackwood return from his Covid battles that sidelined him even before the team closing the doors with his standard stellar play, and the sudden development of Pavel Zacha as a scoring threat (I'm being slightly snarky, but Zacha scored in both games).

However, what I'll write about today is culture.

There will be more bumps on the horizon and I still am far from writing them in for the playoffs as they will be playing so often ( usually two games in three days for the rest of the seasons), but these are the type of wins that make you think that something is on the right track.

The Devils had every reason to lose these two games and yet they pulled out wins.

This does make me think that there is some hope for the future and considering that the successes thus far have come without Nico Hischier, there is a chance to continue to improve.

This season is about progress and seeing who the players are and who can be the foundation for a hoped-for extended run of playoff seasons.

Honestly, I don't think the worst thing in the world would be to show progress, and yet remain to be in a position to add one more top five-ten level player in the draft to build the system.

I wouldn't be sad with a postseason spot either as that would mean progress had been made and the players were playing hard and buying in.

That's what I'm looking at as the season moves forward- rebuilding a damaged culture, the young players making steps to the next level, and do the Devils have the right leaders at coach and general manager.

Thus far, I'm encouraged but I'm not ready to declare things a success-Yet...