Growing
The Devils were 7-2-1 heading into the holiday break and were arguably playing the best hockey in the league at that time.
However, coming out of the break the team has gone 6-7-3 and hasn’t been able to find the same level of consistency in its play.
“We’re just looking for consistency like we had before Christmas,” veteran forward Ondrej Palat said. “We just need to be better.”
Searching for consistency is part of the team’s overall growth as an organization.
“We’re a team that’s got to grow. We’re growing,” Keefe said. “This team made the playoffs twice in the last 12 years, once in the last six. This is a team that’s growing. We took big steps before Christmas and started to scratch the surface of being a good team. This last little stretch shows that we’re not there.
“That’s on me to keep pushing the group and challenge the group. It’s on the players individually to grow and mature in their game. And for us to bring greater urgency to the situation, get our game back on track and find that consistency.”
The Devils last eight losses have all been by one goal (if you subtract empty-net goals), and that includes three games that ended in overtime or a shootout.
“We’re very close to being a very good team, but we’re not there,” Keefe said. “Let’s keep working. Let’s stay committed to it and respect the game and the process of being a good team.
“That’s what today’s message was about. That’s been our message all season but it was put more sternly and directly today. It’s on the players and myself to keep this moving in the right direction.”