The New Jersey Devils have been hunting for consistent depth scoring all season-and for the most part, it's been elusive. Their bottom-six forwards have struggled to generate offense, often looking out of sync and lacking that cohesive punch you need to sustain pressure and produce goals. But something shifted on their recent road trip, and it wasn’t just the win column that saw a bump.
The Devils rattled off three straight victories-something they hadn’t done since November-and it wasn’t a coincidence. Secondary scoring finally showed up, and with it came a much-needed spark. Let’s dig into what’s been fueling this surge and why it could be more than just a hot streak.
Lenni Hameenaho Steps In-and Steps Up
Few players have made a smoother NHL debut this season than Lenni Hameenaho. The 21-year-old Finnish winger was leading the Utica Comets in scoring before getting the call-up, and he wasted no time making an impact with the big club.
In his first game against the Calgary Flames, Hameenaho logged 12:37 of ice time and was on the ice for 16 shot attempts and 13 shots on goal. That’s not just activity-it’s effectiveness.
Slotted alongside Cody Glass and Arseny Gritsyuk, Hameenaho helped form a fourth line that’s done more than just hold its own. In just four games together, the trio has generated 32 unblocked shot attempts, eight high-danger scoring chances, and three goals. That’s the kind of production the Devils have desperately needed from their bottom six.
Against the Vancouver Canucks, the line exploded. Hameenaho notched his first NHL goal to open the scoring, while Glass chipped in with two goals and an assist.
The chemistry is real, and the numbers back it up: the line posted a 68.57% shots-for percentage during the Devils’ four-game road swing, generating 42 shot attempts. That’s dominant puck possession from a group that was supposed to just tread water.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe acknowledged the timing of Hameenaho’s debut, saying the team had been patient in his development. That patience is already paying off. Hameenaho’s poise, vision, and offensive instincts have brought a new dimension to a fourth line that had previously been a black hole for scoring chances.
Connor Brown Finds His Groove
While Hameenaho’s emergence has grabbed headlines, Connor Brown’s steady resurgence has been just as important. The veteran winger tallied four points on the road trip, including a standout performance against his former team, the Edmonton Oilers, and a key goal against the Canucks.
Brown’s value has gone beyond even-strength play. He’s been a quiet force on the power play, where his on-ice expected goals percentage in 5-on-4 situations sits at a staggering 96.5%, according to MoneyPuck. In the last two games alone, he’s picked up three power-play points, including a crucial goal that extended the Devils’ lead over Vancouver.
Even in Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Kraken, Brown was one of the few bright spots. He assisted on both Devils goals-one by Dougie Hamilton and the other by Jack Hughes-both coming on the man advantage. That’s the kind of situational impact that can swing games, especially when the 5-on-5 scoring isn’t clicking.
Brown’s current line with Paul Cotter and Evgenii Dadonov hasn’t exactly been a statistical darling. In fact, they’ve struggled mightily, posting a relative shots-for percentage of -40.06% and generating just 0.18 expected goals over three games.
But Brown’s ability to contribute on special teams has helped offset those even-strength issues. He’s proving that even when the line isn’t clicking, he can still find ways to influence the scoreboard.
Blue Line Stepping Up Without Luke Hughes
The Devils took a hit when Luke Hughes went down with a shoulder injury against Calgary. Hughes has been a key part of their puck-moving game from the back end, and losing him could have easily derailed their momentum. But instead of folding, the defense stepped up.
Dawson Mercer got the Devils on the board in that game, but it was Simon Nemec who sealed the win in overtime with a clutch game-winner. With Hughes expected to miss time until after the Olympic break, the pressure is on the rest of the blue line to fill the offensive void-and so far, Nemec and Dougie Hamilton have answered the call.
Hamilton, in particular, has flipped the script on what had been a frustrating season. After being benched against the Winnipeg Jets, he’s responded with a seven-game point streak, tallying one goal and eight assists.
That’s the version of Hamilton the Devils need-an offensive catalyst who can drive play from the back end. His $9 million cap hit has been a talking point all year, but if he keeps producing like this, he’ll be worth every penny during this stretch without Hughes.
Are the Devils Turning a Corner?
There’s still work to be done, but the pieces are starting to come together. Hameenaho looks like he belongs, Brown is making the most of his minutes, and the defense is finding ways to contribute offensively in Hughes’ absence. That’s the formula the Devils have been chasing all season-balanced scoring, reliable special teams, and contributions from every corner of the lineup.
Whether this recent run is a sign of things to come or just a temporary fix remains to be seen. But if the Devils can continue to get production from their bottom six and keep their blue line active in the offensive zone, they’ll give themselves a real shot to climb back into the playoff race.
For now, they’ve got momentum, they’ve got emerging talent, and-finally-they’ve got some depth scoring. That’s a good place to be as the calendar flips toward the final stretch of the season.