This season, Michael McLeod has been one of New Jersey's most consistent forwards, thanks to the confidence he built during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Six short months ago, New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod received a pass from Ondrej Palat in front of New York Rangers Igor Shesterkin's net. The Mississauga, Ontario, native showed patience and poise as he backhanded the puck past the opposing netminder.
The celebration that followed included Palat jumping into McLeod's arms along the corner boards as fans inside Prudential Center banged on the glass that surrounded them. As McLeod skated towards the bench, he was met by cheers and hollers from his teammates, with arguably no one more excited than Jack Hughes.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNJV-enGd50[/embed]
That was the center's first postseason goal of his career and became the series-winning goal that propelled his team to the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After the game, he talked about his goal and jokingly said, "It was a four-on-four; I'm not even sure what I was doing out there."
What he was doing out there was making a positive impact and building a newfound confidence that would spill over into the 2023-24 campaign.
The Devils are 17 games into the season, and McLeod already has three goals, one less than last season's total. As of Nov. 21, he ranked fourth in the NHL for overall face-off win percentage (61.7.0 percent). He has been one of the team's most consistent forwards, so it was no surprise that he was elevated to a top-six role when Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier went down with injuries.
Whether it was starting the season on the fourth line or playing on the team's top line, there is a renewed confidence in McLeod's game. After the team's Monday practice, he and I sat at his locker stall, which is located next to Ondrej Palat and Jesper Bratt and talked about how comfortable he has looked on the ice this season.
"I think I got some confidence last year (during) playoffs," he said. "I think I took a step there. I know I want to get more comfortable making plays offensively, still being smart, knowing when to make those plays, and trying to keep being a reliable two-way center."
McLeod has spent the past several games with Bratt on one side and a rotation of Tyler Toffoli and Palat on the other. What those three forwards have in common is they play a more creative game than McLeod's usual linemates, who like to keep things simple on the ice.
That simplicity that has worked so well for him is something he has stayed true to as he enjoys his new role with the team.
"I'm having a great time," he said. "It's more minutes, and I'm playing with some really skilled players. It's cool to see some of the plays they can make, and I can compliment them a bit by trying to keep it simple and win pucks back for them."
Since Hischier sustained his upper-body injury, McLeod's ice time has increased. Since Oct. 29, he has averaged 16:49 of ice time. Before that, he averaged 12:41. I asked him how he is adjusting to the additional playing time.
"A little more tired after the game, but you kind of get used to it," McLeod said. "It makes you respect guys like (Hischier) and (Hughes) who play 22 minutes every night. How much work they put in. They are warriors."
With his elevated role and the team's struggling record, it would not be surprising if McLeod felt added pressure or anxiety to perform, but he shared that he doesn't feel that way and wants to keep focusing on the basics.
"I don't want to change my game too much," he said. "Obviously, I want to help the team as much as I can but not put too much pressure on myself. Just kind of play hockey and be prepared."
With Hughes back from injury and Hischier practicing with the team, it's a matter of time until McLeod is reunited with Nathan Bastian on the fourth line. Still, over the past few weeks, he has proven to be an asset and luxury for New Jersey's coaching staff.