The New Jersey Devils are in a precarious situation heading into the Olympic break, after being shut out 3-0 by the Columbus Blue Jackets at Prudential Center. Their final matchup was against the New York Islanders, and once again, they dropped an important Metropolitan Division game, losing 3-1.
It’s not exactly a secret that the Devils have been struggling recently. After losing a few of their elite players, the team has been bogged down with inconsistency, including unstable goaltending and offensive difficulties. As of right now, they have just a 2.4% chance of making the playoffs, so changes need to be made. With that being said, here are three players who will need to step up after the break.
Jacob Markstrom
The first player who needs to find consistency after the break is Jacob Markstrom. The 36-year-old goaltender recently signed a two-year, $12 million extension, but he’s struggling to meet fans’ expectations.Â
Despite going 6-4-0 in his last 10 starts, his .882 save percentage (SV%) this season ranks below the average among all NHL goaltenders (.896 SV%). In fact, this is the lowest SV% of Markstrom’s career since 2014-15 with the Vancouver Canucks.
In 29 starts this season, Markstrom has allowed three or more goals 18 times, including his abysmal performance against the Islanders last month, where he let in nine goals. After earning four shutouts in 2024-25, he has yet to record one this season, with just 25 games left at hand.
Data from MoneyPuck shows just how much Markstrom has struggled. He’s allowed a total of 91 goals against, which is negative-11 goals saved above expected. His 3.20 goals-against average (GAA) is also less than ideal — especially since the Devils have been dealing with an ongoing goalscoring drought. As the final stretch of the season unfolds, it’s crucial that he re-establishes himself as their starting goalie and regains fans’ trust.
Paul Cotter
Another Devil who’s been having a tough season is Paul Cotter. After a three-game scoring streak in early December, he’s gone without a point in his last 22 games. Much like the rest of the team, he’s had a hard time finishing scoring chances and finding consistency.
He’s particularly struggled during 5-on-5 scenarios. Cotter has been on the ice for 11 goals, as compared to 27 goals against. Since his rookie season in 2021-22, his goals for percentage has decreased 31.05%. Unfortunately, his numbers at even strength have not been much better. But despite being on-ice for 102 more scoring chances against than for, Markstrom and Jake Allen still averaged a .904 SV% with Cotter on the ice.
Cotter has had less of a physical impact as well. He still leads the team with 150 hits, but it marks a 38.5% decrease from last season’s career-high of 244. He’s also blocked nearly half as many shots this season (17), and taken only 72 hits as compared to 125 last season. Hopefully, he’ll come back better than ever after the break, honing his speed and skill to end the season strong.
Stefan Noesen
There’s a high likelihood that Devils fans won’t be seeing Stefan Noesen again for a while, and it’s uncertain if he will return before the end of the season. Last month, the veteran right wing underwent knee surgery to address a lingering injury, and there is no current timeline for his return. However, when he does come back, he needs to be a reliable depth scorer if New Jersey has any chance of closing out the season on a positive note.Â
Related: Meet the Newest New Jersey Devil: Nick Bjugstad
In 38 games so far this season, Noesen has earned just seven points, but his dwindling offensive impact was most likely due to injury. As compared to last season, he’s seen a 33.3% decrease in shots on goal per game. He’s also been less of a physical presence this season, averaging below one hit per game. It’s a far cry from his 41-point 2024-25 campaign, where he scored 11 power-play goals and five game-winning goals.
He has one year left in his current contract, which has an average annual value (AAV) of $2.75 million. And the Olympic roster freeze means that he must remain on the Devils roster until Feb. 22. Can he turn things around once he returns to the lineup? If not, it might be time for the organization to move on from Noesen.
Devils’ Priorities Moving Forward
All in all, the Devils need to adjust their current mindset. The Olympic break is a perfect opportunity to regroup and find stability. Already, the team has taken a step in the right direction, acquiring a depth scorer in Nick Bjugstad and getting rid of players who weren’t contributing. So long as players and management alike are willing to take accountability, the team might be able to salvage the rest of the season.
