The New Jersey Devils’ 2024-25 campaign has been a tale of two identities: a gritty, resilient defensive squad keeping the team afloat — and an offense still searching for answers since the losses of Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton.
With the regular season winding down, the Devils find themselves clawing for a playoff spot. Their defense, bolstered by elite goaltending and disciplined structure, has kept them in games they might otherwise have lost. But if this team has any hopes of advancing past the first round — let alone making a serious run — the offense must rediscover its bite.
The Hughes-Hamilton Effect
When Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton both went down with season-ending injuries, the team’s offensive engine sputtered. Hughes, a dynamic playmaker and point-per-game star, was the heart of New Jersey’s top line. His absence has left a gaping hole in the team’s transition game and power play. Without Hamilton’s booming shot and puck-moving ability from the blue line, the Devils lost a key weapon at both ends of the ice.
Since those injuries, New Jersey’s offensive production has dipped to an average of just 2.73 goals per game, well below the mark of a true playoff contender. That’s a stark contrast to the pace they were on earlier in the season, when Hughes and Hamilton were leading the charge and the Devils were among the league’s most exciting young teams.
Defense Keeping Hope Alive
Despite the offensive shortcomings, the Devils have leaned heavily on their defensive corps and the resurgence of their goaltending tandem. Jonas Siegenthaler and John Marino have taken on expanded roles, while rookie Simon Nemec has developed rapidly into a dependable presence.
The team’s penalty kill, which had early-season struggles, has improved significantly. Combined with their ability to clog passing lanes and limit high-danger chances, New Jersey has become one of the more frustrating teams to play against — especially for high-flying offenses.
The defense-first approach has earned them points in tight games, and may just be enough to squeak into the postseason. But that’s where the real test begins.
Can the Offense Catch Up?
To be a serious threat in the playoffs, New Jersey needs more than just a sturdy back end. The postseason is a different animal — and even the most sound defensive teams can’t survive without timely goals.
The burden now falls on players like Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier to elevate their games. Meier, in particular, was expected to be a key goal-scoring threat this season, and while he’s shown flashes, consistency has been elusive.
The Devils also need depth scoring to emerge. Dawson Mercer and Ondřej Palát have had their moments, but in the absence of Hughes, they’ll need to take on larger offensive roles. The power play, too, must improve — it has hovered near the league’s bottom third since the injuries.
A Playoff Blueprint
If the Devils want to go beyond a quick playoff cameo, the formula is clear: keep playing disciplined defense and get just enough offensive production from their core to push through tight games.
Their current style — grind-it-out hockey with opportunistic scoring — may be enough to survive a first-round matchup, especially if they can frustrate a more skilled opponent. But to advance deeper, someone will need to step up and create the kind of moments that win playoff series.
Whether it’s a late-season surge from Meier, a breakout from a young forward, or a spark from a trade deadline pickup, the Devils will need more than what their defense alone can provide.
Because in the NHL playoffs, you can’t win what you can’t score.
