Devils Stay Steady in Vancouver as Road Trip Momentum Builds
The New Jersey Devils hit the ice at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Wednesday with a full squad and a clear sense of direction. Winners of back-to-back games to open their Western Canada swing, the Devils aren’t tinkering with what’s working-and for good reason.
No Changes, No Problem
Head coach Sheldon Keefe rolled out the same lineup that earned tight 2-1 victories over Calgary and Edmonton. That includes the same forward groupings, defensive pairings, and special teams structure-though there was one small wrinkle on the power play. Connor Brown took reps in front of the net on the top unit, joining Dougie Hamilton at the point with Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, and Nico Hischier rounding out the formation.
It’s a subtle shift, but one that speaks to Brown’s growing role and the coaching staff’s trust in his ability to create traffic and make plays down low.
Colton White, recently recalled, was present and skating with Juho Lammikko as an extra defensive pair. Luke Glendening skated as the extra forward, but otherwise, it was business as usual for a team that’s found a groove.
Depth Stepping Up
Keefe had plenty of praise for his bottom-six forwards, who have been quietly driving results during this recent stretch. Paul Cotter has filled in admirably at center, while Connor Brown has brought structure and support to his line. Cody Glass and Arseny Gritsyuk both found the back of the net in Edmonton, providing the kind of secondary scoring that can swing tight games.
“Cotter’s done a good job filling in the middle of the ice,” Keefe said. “Connor Brown has really helped supporting that line.
Glass and Gritsyuk, I expected they would continue to do good. Lenni (Hameenaho) has filled in beautifully and had two good games here to start.
There’s lots to like.”
That depth showed up in a big way against the Oilers. With the top lines handling tough defensive matchups, it was the third and fourth units that delivered the offense. In a league where matchups and margins are razor-thin, that kind of contribution is gold.
A Turning Point in Winnipeg
The Devils have now won four of their last five and are showing signs of turning the corner after a stretch of inconsistency. According to Keefe, the shift started in a loss-specifically, a 4-3 defeat in Winnipeg back on January 11.
“We didn’t get the result in that game but we started to move in the right direction,” Keefe said. “A huge effort in Minnesota saw it come together. That built the belief that we were able to bring back home.”
That belief has translated into results. The Devils followed up that loss with a statement win in Minnesota, edged out Seattle in overtime, stumbled against Carolina, and then bounced back with two gritty wins over Calgary and Edmonton.
These haven’t been flashy victories. They’ve been tight, hard-fought, low-scoring affairs-the kind of games that test a team’s structure, discipline, and mindset.
“We’ve gotten some good results here in the early going (of the road trip), but not easy results,” Keefe said. “These are 2-1 hockey games.
Very, very tight. You need some things to go your way, but you need to do the things you can to give yourselves an opportunity for it to go your way.”
Playoff Picture Coming Into Focus
New Jersey now sits at 54 points through 50 games (26-22-2), just four points behind Boston for the final Wild Card spot and five points behind the Islanders for third in the Metropolitan Division. It’s a crowded race, and the Devils know there’s no room for letdowns.
“We need that to continue. We can’t have a setback here,” Keefe emphasized. “We don’t have the luxury.”
That urgency is evident in the way the team is managing games. While the offense isn’t exploding just yet, the Devils are finding ways to win-and that’s a crucial step in building confidence and consistency.
“We’d like to finish more of our chances and give ourselves some breathing room,” Keefe said. “But I’ve liked our mindset at managing games when they have been tight.
We talked today. There are things we want to do better.”
Nemec Adjusting on the Fly
One of the more interesting developments on the blue line has been Simon Nemec playing on his off side. It’s not an easy adjustment, especially for a young defenseman, but Keefe believes Nemec has the skill set to handle it.
“There are some adjustments you have to make going over to that side offensively and defensively,” Keefe said. “But Nemo has confidence.
You can hand him pucks and he gets himself out of trouble. It sets him in different spots to utilize his one-timer.
Defensively, the reads and angles are different. At times you’ll be put in tough spots with the puck.
This is out of necessity at this point in time. But I’d say he’s well equipped to manage it.”
Homecoming for Dillon
Wednesday’s practice had a special feel for defenseman Brenden Dillon, who had some familiar faces in the stands. A group of kids from his summer hockey camp in the Surrey-Langley area were on hand, bringing energy and excitement to the morning skate.
“I was one of those kids, a while ago now,” Dillon said. “Hooting and hollering when we scored some goals and giving us some more good vibes. It was fun.”
The kids, many from U11 and U12 programs, got a front-row seat to NHL action, snagged autographs, and made memories that will stick with them for years.
“I’m not here without that chapter of my life,” Dillon said. “As a young player growing up in Canada, hockey is everything.
You’re playing hockey in school, watching hockey, at home you’re playing mini sticks with your buddies. You’re talking about games with your buddies in school every day.
Hockey is everything.”
For Dillon, sharing this moment with the next generation wasn’t just a nice gesture-it was a reminder of how far he’s come and how important it is to give back.
“I love being an NHL hockey player. I love being a New Jersey Devil,” he said. “If I can share a day in the life of a hockey player, it’s a cool aspect of this.”
What’s Next
The Devils wrap up their practice in Vancouver with positive momentum and a clear sense of identity. They’re not dominating teams, but they’re grinding out wins, getting contributions up and down the lineup, and playing with structure.
Next up: a Thursday night clash with the Canucks, who’ve been one of the West’s most consistent teams this season. It’s another test-but if the Devils keep playing their brand of hockey, they’ll give themselves a chance to keep this road trip rolling.