Hischier showing why he's 'heartbeat' of Devils during playoffs

NEWARK, N.J. --Nico Hischier never wavers in his stoic, businesslike approach to the game, but don't think he isn't enjoying his second tour of duty in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and first as captain of the New Jersey Devils.

It's exemplary of his work ethic, the person he is and team-oriented goals he's set.
No one in the organization takes it for granted, either.
"He's Mr. Everything for us," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said.
"Nico? ... He's the heartbeat of the team," center Jack Hughes said. "And we have the utmost respect for him."
Hischier remembers the empty feeling as a rookie, sitting in the visitors' locker room at Amalie Arena following a five-game loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2018 Eastern Conference First Round. The media surrounded then-captain Andy Greene searching for answers and optimism of a better future.
"I obviously didn't know at that time it would take this long because I haven't played any playoff games since then," Hischier said. "But at that moment you're definitely just disappointed. When you realize you're out and the season is over for you, it's never a fun feeling. But I feel like that's just an athletes' mindset and I think everybody felt the same way that day."
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Fast forward five years. The Devils are a better team, better equipped to handle the postseason and proving it behind their captain during the first round against the rival New York Rangers. Hischier again played a big role in a 3-1 victory at Madison Square Garden on Monday that tied the best-of-7 series 2-2 with a workmanlike performance. He had the primary assist on Jonas Siegenthaler's game-winning goal at 8:22 of the third period, went 13-for-20 on face-offs, sparked the penalty kill and blocked two shots in 19:58 of ice time.
The Devils won two straight in New York. Game 5 is at Prudential Center on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN360, TVAS2, MSGSN, MSG).
"We always saw the professionalism, even when he was 18," Fitzgerald said. "The way he handled himself, his character, the work he puts in, the hockey sense. He's a gentleman and just happens to have the talent to go with it.
"It's the reason we decided to name him captain (Feb. 20, 2021)."
The 24-year-old still describes himself as "same-level Nico" when asked if he's changed anything about his approach in the locker room while going through his first postseason as captain.
"This time of the year is the most fun," Hischier said. "These are the games that you want to be in."
Hischier has two assists and three takeaways, leads Devils forwards in face-offs taken (88) and face-offs won (43), and his average ice time of 21:03 is second at the position behind Hughes (21:42).

It's also things that don't show up on the score sheet that have made Hischier such a valuable commodity ever since becoming the highest-drafted Switzerland-born player ever when chosen No. 1 by New Jersey in the 2017 NHL Draft.
"His 200-foot game, his positioning," Fitzgerald said. "He's our go-to guy on defensive-zone face-offs, the penalty kill."
He's also one of two captains from Switzerland in the NHL (Roman Josi, Nashville Predators).
"He's a tremendous captain," Hughes said. "For how young he is, he's so mature and leads the way. And not just in the playoffs, but all 82 games."
Devils forward Dawson Mercer, 21, said Hischier was invaluable to him when he entered the League last season.
"It was great for me coming in with a young captain like him," Mercer said. "He was just so easy to talk to right from the get-go. I'm fortunate to be able to sit next to him in the locker room. I love talking with him. He's just there for you whenever you need him, but at the same time I think he's a really good lead-by-example type of guy."
He learned the importance of becoming a defensive forward at a young age during his development years in Switzerland.
"I was always [idolizing] Pavel Datsyuk, a good two-way player, and then I started following Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron," Hischier said. "All these guys played any situation. I knew before I even got to the NHL that was the kind of player I wanted to be. I wanted to be responsible, a really good defensive center, but also a player who could help out in the offensive zone. That's been my player type."
Devils coach Lindy Ruff said Hischier doesn't get enough credit for his play away from the puck, his work on the penalty kill and how valuable he's become as a defensive forward matched against top lines each game.
Ruff also offered a side of his captain the public rarely sees.
"Yes, he gets mad," Ruff said. "I've seen him mad. It isn't a lot and not getting mad doesn't mean you don't care, but I think when a guy like Nico gets mad, the boys go, 'Holy [crap].'"
"I think you forget how young he is," Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton said. "He really takes pride in the captaincy, leads by example and does everything the right way. We all have full respect for him and happy he's our captain."