Will Sheldon Keefe's Remarks Spark Postseason Drive For Devils?

After Saturday night's 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic spoke to the media about where his team stands in the playoff race. 

"We are in a fight, and hopefully, that gets us in that playoff mentality," he said. 

With 11 games remaining in the regular season, Kovacevic hopes his team can develop a playoff mentality and carry it into the postseason as the Devils sit third place in the Metropolitan Division.  

When a reporter brought up Kovacevic's comments to head coach Sheldon Keefe, the 44-year-old interrupted the question to say, "Kovacevic just needs to play better. That would help." 

Keefe's change in tone caught many by surprise as his press conference ended after that remark. 

Since training camp opened in September, Kovacevic has been a pleasant surprise. The pairing of Kovacevic and Jonas Siegenthaler was among the best in the league before the latter's injury on Feb 4, 2025. 

The 27-year-old was rewarded for his play with a five-year, $20 million contract that will begin next season and has an average annual value of $4 million.

It is worth noting that to start training camp, many believed Kovacevic would be the team's seventh defenseman. It is easy to forget the 2024-25 season marks his third in the NHL, and recently, the 6-foot-5 blueliner told The Hockey News that his confidence has grown this season, and he has become more comfortable being a full-time NHLer. 

Kovacevic's game will eb and flow as he develops, but did his recent performance deserve Keefe's comment? 

No one but Keefe knows his reason for responding in such a way. It could have been a tactic to motivate his defenseman, or it could have been frustration boiling over. 

With the playoffs inching closer, the Devils have gotten away from the system and structure Keefe has put into place. 

A team that has found success in the second period for the first six months of the season had a terrible middle frame against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night, leading to a 3-2 regulation loss. This loss came on the heels of back-to-back games in which the Devils struggled in the third period. 

During this tough stretch of hockey, players have spoken about mindset, and Keefe discussed confidence when asked about his team's mentality during that dismal third period against the Calgary Flames. 

"It is a confidence thing," Keefe said. "As I was saying the other day, we went into that third period undefeated in regulation and hadn't lost a game all season long in the third period. We have been a good team in that area, but it was two games in a row that we have shown to be a little fragile in that spot. To me, that shows a reaction to what is at stake in the season and our lineup. We are missing people. That, to me, has shaken our confidence a little bit." 

The Devils are currently without key pieces. Jack Hughes drives the play for New Jersey and is arguably the team's most impactful player. On the blue line, the team is without Jonas Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton.  

Hearing the words confidence and mindset thrown around with fragile mixed in makes Keefe's remark about Kovacevic all the more puzzling. 

At this time of the season, it is imperative for the players to regain their confidence, overcome their fear of making mistakes, and play to their strengths.  

Maybe Keefe knows how to effectively motivate his players, and Kovacevic, along with his teammates, will come out Monday night against the Vancouver Canucks and have their best performance since December. The only hope is that something positive will come from the now 14-second viral soundbite.  

Puck drop between the Devils and Canucks on Monday night will be 7:30 p.m.  Fans can watch on ESPN+ or Hulu or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.