Bright Personalities | 10 TAKEAWAYS

It never gets old going back over a week in the Devils' schedule where they just keep on winning. And quite frankly, they've given me no other choice, which is fine by me. There's levity in the air when the wins pile up, but that's not without its seriousness as well. It's something that always stands out to me. There are those moments of levity, but the concentration, the focus, and the 'all business' attitude around this group.
It also allows those of us bringing you the team content the ability to get closer to your favorite players because we have the opportunity to highlight them off the ice in different ways than if the team was struggling.
And that's exactly where we'll start in this edition of 10 Takeaways, presented by Ticketmaster.

2.

If you missed the entire feature, make sure you watch the full thing!

Who do you want to see next?

3.

I think my favorite part of Miles Wood revealing that he set the wooden stick on fire this week is that it was the first thing he said when we started our on-camera conversation. I thought I'd have to pry it out of him, but nope, he went right for it and that's what I appreciate so much about Miles.
Had he not, well, I already knew that the stick-burning incident happened because I had a little mole inside the room share the story. That was none other than the retired Andy Greene who has been spending time at Prudential Center recently. Before practice, I already had the story in my back pocket.
Even better was telling Miles that I already knew. "He threw me under the bus?!"

I'm considering a new segment for NJD.tv with Miles called 'Is it Flammable'.

4.

When Lindy Ruff yells'That's it!'at practice, that is it. Practice is over.
But that just ends the formal part of practice as players stick around and break off into their own on-ice work and competitions. Well, recently a new activity has started, with a game of Knock-Out at center ice.
Here's how it works:
Everyone in the center ice circle has a puck and you try to poke away everyone else's puck outside of the circle. On Monday as players started to dwindle away, the last two men standing were Yegor Sharangovich and assistant coach Sergei Brylin.
I just love the competitive nature that Sarge still has burning today, just out there trying to school these players and wanting to win.
I thing Sharangovich technically won this round, but look how Sarge reacts. A true competitor.

5.

The Reverse Retro jerseys look incredible all put together on the ice. Such a sharp look. Fans at Prudential Center on Friday against the Islanders will get their first look at the whole gear together on home ice.
As for what games were selected for the four games? They're all former Patrick Division members, which was the division the Devils first played in when they entered the league in 1982.

6.

I don't want to jinx it (I've done that a few times this year, I think).
But the team could tie the NHL record for consecutive road wins on Monday night at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers. That would make it even sweeter.

7.

I can't wrap my head around the fact that it took 54 games total to reach 11 wins on the season last year, but just 25 this year.

8.

Or that they have allowed one or fewer goals nine times this season after Vitek Vanecek's shutout against the Blackhawks.
Last season that happened a total of eight times. Eight times in 82 games.
It's a reminder of the level of struggles the team faced last season in net, using a franchise-high seven goaltenders. Whether it was because of injury, or needing goalies to step in before they were ready, or any other circumstance, the difference this year has completely changed the complexion of how this team operates. Vanecek's performances this year have been nothing short of fantastic since his first loss of the season, and even on nights where the team gets 'average' goaltending, they have the resources elsewhere in the lineup to balance things out. It's really wonderful to see after how last year played out.
Also, how could you not love Vanecek, or 'V' as he is affectionately known. The guy is filled with wholesome charisma and knowing him now for a little bit, I can assure you it is all sincere.

9.

Akira Schmid has been such a great story this year, especially with how last season played out for him. He was dealt an extremely tough hand and all it did was inspire him to work at his craft even more. To understand a little more about Akira, who is soft spoken and doesn't crave the spotlight,
here's a great read
from my colleague Sam Kasan:

10.

Remember when David Puddy said, "Don't mess with the Devils, buddy, we're number one, we beat anybody!"?
It made me think about where the Devils are right now. Four losses on the season, and one overtime loss.
Out of those four regulation losses - Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington, and Toronto - the Devils have also beaten them this season.
They've exacted revenge on all four of those teams with wins as well.
The Predators are the outlier, but New Jersey hasn't played Nashville for a second time this season.
So far this season, Puddy's words are holding true.