Devils’ Defense Will Get Them Into the Playoffs, But They’ll Need Offense to Make a Deep Run
As the NHL season barrels toward its climax, the New Jersey Devils find themselves in a familiar yet precarious position: battling for playoff positioning with a defense-first identity. Long known for their structured, disciplined play on the back end, the Devils are once again leaning on their blue line and goaltending to pave the road to the postseason. While this has proven effective enough to keep them in contention, there’s growing concern that unless the offense rises to the occasion, a deep playoff run may remain elusive.
The Devils’ defensive core has been among the league’s most reliable. Anchored by stalwarts like Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, and the emerging Luke Hughes, New Jersey excels in limiting high-danger chances and keeping opponents to the perimeter. Their ability to transition from defense to offense quickly is a hallmark of their system, one refined under head coach Lindy Ruff. Even when facing high-octane offenses, the Devils have shown the ability to frustrate and neutralize top lines, a skill that becomes crucial come playoff time.
Goaltending has also been a quiet strength. Whether it’s Vitek Vanecek or Akira Schmid between the pipes, the Devils have benefited from consistent, if not spectacular, play in net. While they may lack a superstar goalie, the tandem has done enough to backstop the team into playoff contention—thanks largely to the support of the defensive system in front of them.
However, it’s on the offensive side of the puck where questions linger. While Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt offer dynamic scoring threats, and captain Nico Hischier adds two-way excellence, the Devils have struggled with scoring depth. The inconsistency of secondary scoring lines and an underperforming power play have plagued the team during key stretches of the season.
In the regular season, strong defense can carry a team far. But in the postseason, it’s often the teams that can combine elite defensive play with timely scoring that truly make noise. Last season’s early exit underscored this very issue—the Devils couldn’t match the scoring output of more balanced opponents. They’re in danger of repeating history if the offensive unit doesn’t find another gear.
To make a legitimate push past the first or second round, the Devils will need more from their forward group. Timo Meier, Dawson Mercer, and Erik Haula must contribute consistently, and the power play needs to become a true weapon rather than a missed opportunity. The talent is there, but execution and urgency will determine how far this team can truly go.
In short, defense may get the Devils into the playoffs, but if they want to go deep, they’ll need their offense to come alive. The blueprint is clear—it’s time to see if they can follow it.
