Homestand Highlights | 10 TAKEAWAYS

There was something about that four-game homestand against all Western Conference teams last week that felt like a bit of a turning point for this Devils team. In perhaps the biggest win of the season, scoring five unanswered goals against Colorado, you could feel the belief this group has in one another. And that building process is starting to pay dividends, with fun and exciting wins, some in very close matchups.
There were plenty of highlights from the week, both in-game and in practice, and that's where we begin this week's 10 Takeaways, presented by Ticketmaster, at practice:

2.

I watched the shootout against the Anaheim Ducks with a player that wasn't playing in the game. When it was Jesper Bratt's turn to take his shot, he looked over at me and said, "I wouldn't want to be that goaltender."
After Bratt scored, he flashed a huge smile as if to say I told you so.

3.

Apparently, Bratt doesn't like to shoot first and prefers to be the second shooter, according to Lindy Ruff. The head coach obliged and it worked out quite well for everyone.

4.

I asked Nico Daws after the game what he thought of Bratt's move… no one may be more familiar with a player's shootout move than the goaltender that faces them in practice every single day.
"I was surprised with the move he went to," Daws said, "he does that one quite a bit in practice, but he always gets in five-hole, so I thought that one was coming, but he made it work. It's a great move, he's got really silky hands."

5.

We've definitely had a few strange years with shortened seasons due to the Covid, but I had to go back in the archives when I was looking at Jesper Bratt's stats. He has 55points so far this season, a point total that hasn't been achieved by a Devils player since the 2017-18 season when Taylor Hall had his Hart Trophy-winning year with 93 points. That same year, Nico Hischier was runner up in points with 52.

6.

You'd have to go as far back as the 2015-16 season to find a player with more than 55 points when Kyle Palmieri had 57 in 82 games.'

7.

While we're crunching numbers, if Jack Hughes hadn't missed 17 games with his shoulder injury we may be looking at a 90+ point season for the 20-year-old. On his current trajectory, Hughes is on pace for a 92 point season.
In his 39 games played this season, he has 18 goals and 26 assists. That's 44 points in 39 games.

8.

One of my favorite quotes of the week comes from head coach Lindy Ruff who was commenting on the way Jack Hughes took over the second period against the Jets with his puck possession.
"I love Jack's game. In the second period, it was one of those where if you're playing street hockey they'd say 'give the puck back. We still want to play.' It was like he wanted to take the puck and go home."

9.

It's been quite a rotation of goaltenders for the Devils this season, six goaltenders have suited up for the NHL club. Nico Daws could potentially be starting his eighth consecutive game when they play the Canucks, which would mark the longest streak of the season for any goaltender.
In the meantime, with Daws up with the big club, Akira Schmid has been getting in the major reps with Utica. I really enjoyed
this article
about his progression, not only on the ice but in the kitchen as well, living on his own for the first time.

10.

Luke Hughes' freshman regular season with the Wolverines has come to a close and it isn't without honors. The Devils' No. 4 overall draft pick in 2021 was named co-Freshman of the year in the Big 10. He shares the honors with goaltender Jakub Dobeš of Ohio State and together they are the first non-forwards to win the league's rookie of the year award.