Haula Elevating His Play for Playoffs | FEATURE

The playoffs are a different animal than the regular season.
And for some players, the playoffs bring out their best selves. And certain players rise to the occasion.
For example, the Devils' leading scorer early this postseason isn't Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt or Dougie Hamilton.
It's Erik Haula.
The 10-year NHL veteran has five points (3g-2a). Haula's three goals also tie Hughes for the team lead while his two power-play goals pace the club.
"He's a veteran player that has been in the wars before," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "He understands that you only get so many opportunities. I think he likes this time of year. He likes the moment he's in. He likes our team. He wants to be a guy that everybody can count on."

Haula, 32, has certainly been a guy the team can count on. He picked up three points (2g-1a) in the team's critical Game 5 matchup Thursday to take a 3-2 series lead against the New York Rangers in their First Round matchup.
Haula's two goals, three points and plus-3 were all single-game career highs. He's been productive despite the tighter play within a playoff series.
"You only get a few chances in a playoff game. The season is 82 games," Ruff said. "Your playoff series is a lot smaller and you get to play the same team over and over. You can see how a player can adapt and a player can weave his way through a tough series."
For veteran players like Haula, experience comes in many different forms. Not only does it teach what it takes to be competitive in the playoffs, but also how difficult and elusive success can be.
"I always look at it as an opportunity to win. I don't want to take it for granted ever," he said. "You never know when it's going to be your last game. You never know when it's going to be your last opportunity. It's a learning curve for all of us. There were years where I wasn't happy with my playoff performance and then you have to think about it all summer long."
Of Haula's 10 NHL seasons, he's played in the playoffs nine times (he missed one year with an injury). Some have ended in quick first round exits while others have seen longer runs, like the 2018 Stanley Cup Final with Vegas.

Haula's experience was one of the biggest reasons the Devils acquired him last summer from Boston in exchange for Pavel Zacha. And while the talk of fighting for a playoff berth was on the lips of those in the Devils organization last summer, Haula had bigger thoughts.
"When I came here there was talk about getting to the playoffs. That's my expectation wherever I go, whatever team it is," Haula said. "I believe in this team. I think we have a really good group. I'm trying to be the best version of myself for our team."
In his first season with the Devils, Haula finished the year with 14 goals, 27 assists, 41 points and a plus-13. But Haula played better than his numbers suggest. He was in on a lot of plays but couldn't find much puck luck.
However, the tides began turning late in the season. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound forward was arguably the hottest Devils player on the team entering the playoffs. He scored six goals and posted eight points in the final seven games of the regular season, helping New Jersey lock up home-ice advantage to open the playoffs.
He's carried that offensive production into the postseason with five points in five games.
"There was a period of time where a lot of great opportunities didn't go in. Now it seems like they're going in," Ruff said, before adding: "I'd rather see them go in now than the regular season."
While scoring is important, Haula has also been effective in many other aspects of the game. He's won 54.3 percent of his faceoffs and has been reliable defensively. He scored an empty-net goal in Game 5 while being on the ice for an empty-net goal in Game 4 - meaning that late in games and protecting critical leads the Devils have relied on Haula. He's also been a huge part of the team's resurgent penalty kill, setting up Dawson Mercer's shorthanded tally in Game 5.
And when the team has needed him, Haula has been there to deliver.

"They get their play to a different level. They feed off energy in the game," Ruff said of playoff performers like Haula. "They feed off a big play inside the game, whether it's an assist or a goal. They push even your top players to be even better.
"There's a little added incentive. Playoffs are something he doesn't want to take for granted. He wants to show that he can be a guy that can be counted on."
Haula is trying to make the most of another opportunity to make a run for the Stanley Cup. He looks around the locker room and likes what he sees. He's just trying to do his part to be a piece of the puzzle.
"To be in the postseason and have a chance and opportunity to play for the Stanley Cup, that's my motivation. That's my ultimate goal," he said. "I'm just trying to be my best self."