Devils Roundup: Glass Shines, Scoring Woes Persist, and Injury Shifts Blue Line Plans
The New Jersey Devils split their weekend slate, delivering a nail-biting 5-4 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday before falling 4-2 to the Seattle Kraken on Sunday to close out their road trip. There were flashes of promise - and some ongoing concerns - as the team continues to search for consistency in a season that’s been anything but predictable.
Cody Glass: Quietly Dominant in a Key Role
Let’s start with Cody Glass, who continues to fly under the radar while playing some of the best hockey of his career. He notched three points against Vancouver, showcasing the kind of offensive punch that’s become a calling card for him this season. But it’s not just the box score that tells the story.
Glass has quietly carved out a reputation as one of the most complete third-line centers in the league - and the numbers back it up. Among all 32 NHL third-line centers, he stands alone as the only one to rank above average in every major statistical category: offensive and defensive impact, scoring chances generated (sG), RAPM (Regularized Adjusted Plus-Minus), and overall point production. That’s elite company, and it’s a major reason the Devils have been able to stay afloat despite their broader offensive struggles.
Lenni Hämeenaho: First NHL Points
Friday’s win also marked a milestone for rookie Lenni Hämeenaho, who recorded his first two NHL points. For a team looking for an injection of youth and energy, Hämeenaho’s emergence is a welcome development. While it’s far too early to project his long-term role, getting on the scoresheet is a big first step - and a confidence booster for the 19-year-old winger.
Scoring Still a Major Issue
But while individual performances like Glass and Hämeenaho’s offer reasons for optimism, the Devils’ team-wide scoring issues remain a glaring problem. According to Natural Stat Trick, New Jersey ranks dead last in the NHL in 5-on-5 scoring, generating just 1.94 goals per 60 minutes.
That’s not just bad - it’s historically inefficient. Every other team in the league scores at least 6.2% more often at even strength.
That lack of offensive production has put immense pressure on the defense and goaltending, and it’s a key reason the Devils have struggled to string together wins. They’re generating chances, but the finishing touch just hasn’t been there - and time is running out to find it.
Dougie Hamilton’s Future in Flux - But Maybe Not for Long
One of the more intriguing storylines in recent weeks has been the status of veteran defenseman Dougie Hamilton. After being a healthy scratch on January 11 - a move that raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about his future in New Jersey - Hamilton now appears more likely to stay put, at least in the short term.
That’s largely due to a shoulder injury suffered by Luke Hughes, which has thinned the Devils’ blue line depth and made Hamilton’s presence more valuable. Whether this leads to a longer-term reconciliation or simply a temporary reprieve remains to be seen, but for now, Hamilton’s veteran presence could be crucial as the team navigates a critical stretch of the season.
Around the League: Marner Returns, Penguins at a Crossroads
Elsewhere in the NHL, Mitch Marner made his first appearance as a visiting player at Scotiabank Arena - a moment filled with emotion after nine seasons with the Maple Leafs. As expected, he kept his focus forward, declining to dwell on the past.
In Pittsburgh, GM Kyle Dubas faces a pivotal decision ahead of the trade deadline. The Penguins were expected to retool this season, but with Sidney Crosby still playing at an elite level, the temptation to make a playoff push is real. And let’s be honest - no one wants to face Crosby in a first-round series, no matter where the Pens finish in the standings.
What’s Next for the Devils?
For New Jersey, the road ahead is all about finding answers - and fast. The goaltending has held up, the defense is patching holes, and there are flashes of brilliance from players like Glass. But until the Devils solve their scoring woes, they’ll remain stuck in the middle of the pack, fighting for traction in a tight Eastern Conference race.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them together.