It may have come too late to change their season’s outcome, but the New Jersey Devils have finally found some offensive rhythm. After struggling to generate goals for much of the year, they’ve begun scoring more consistently since the Olympic break.
While the surge may not be enough to secure Sheldon Keefe’s job — a discussion likely to resurface in the coming weeks — the adjustment has at least been a positive step. If nothing else, it provides a useful sample size for evaluating the roster ahead of the offseason.
A Shift in Offensive Approach
Throughout much of the season, the Devils were among the league’s worst in finishing, frequently ranking near the bottom in goals scored above expected — a stat often highlighted by analysts like JFresh.
Part of the issue has been a lack of elite finishing talent, along with injuries to key players like Jack Hughes. But the struggles ran deeper than that. For a large stretch, New Jersey wasn’t generating enough offensive pressure to begin with.
From opening night through the Olympic break, the Devils averaged just 2.55 expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five, ranking 19th in the NHL. Even more concerning, they converted at just 1.88 goals per 60 — the lowest mark in the league.
Hughes’ absence played a role, but even before his injury in mid-November, the team wasn’t pushing the pace. They averaged only around seven rush attempts per game early in the season, and that number dipped to roughly 5.5–6 during his absence.
This wasn’t accidental. Under Keefe, the Devils deliberately played a more controlled, less rush-heavy style — a system that didn’t fully align with their roster’s strengths.
A More Aggressive Style Emerges
It took time, but adjustments have finally been made. Since the Olympic break, New Jersey has leaned into a more aggressive, transition-based approach.
According to broadcasts on MSG Network, the Devils have increased their pace significantly, averaging around 10–11 rush attempts per game during their recent homestand.
The shift has helped unlock their offense, offering a glimpse of what the team could look like moving forward — even if the turnaround came later than hoped.
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