New Jersey Devils Dominating With 3 High-Scoring Lines – The Hockey Writers –

One thing remained true throughout November: The New Jersey Devils are an offensive juggernaut. They have won five of their last seven games, continuing a tight race with the Washington Capitals for the first spot of the Eastern Conference. The Devils have also scored four or more goals in their last three contests. According to MoneyPuck, they have a 98.5% chance of making the playoffs.

The charge has largely been led by the likes of Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Jack Hughes. However, Stefan Noesen and Ondrej Palat have also provided plenty of scoring opportunities. But which line combinations have been the most effective? Let’s break down three of the most successful lines for the Devils in their first 28 games.

Palat-Hughes-Bratt: AKA “PB&J”

Unsurprisingly, the Palat-Hughes-Bratt line, also dubbed “PB&J,” has the highest scoring potential. With Palat and Bratt on his wing, Hughes has returned to an elite level of play. Throughout 21 appearances, this line has contributed nine goals and recorded 102 shots on goal, which is the highest of any Devils line.

This line also has a team-high 237 Corsi For (CF) count, representing the total number of shot attempts. Palat, Hughes, and Bratt are exceptional at taking charge in front of the net, which is a welcome improvement from last season. In addition, the PB&J line has also recorded 159 unblocked shot attempts for the Devils, also known as Fenwick For (FF). 

At the beginning of the season, there was a lot of debate as to where Palat should fall in the lineup. He has found success as a top-six forward after a slow start to the season. And head coach Sheldon Keefe’s decision to keep this line has paid off, especially during Monday night’s game against the New York Rangers. The Devils’ first line had a four-point night, two of which were goals from none other than number 86. Palat, Hughes, and Bratt continue to function as a well-oiled machine, and this line will play an important role in keeping New Jersey on top.

Cotter-Haula-Noesen

The second-highest scoring line is a combination of a Devils veteran and two offseason acquisitions. The Paul Cotter-Erik Haula-Noesen line has proven to be a successful gritty third unit, providing both scoring and depth. Even though Keefe has not sent out this combination in recent games, this line had numerous multi-point games at the beginning of the season. In fact, this line has the third-highest ice time out of all the…