Lundqvist on Devils Repeating Last Season's Success: 'Absolutely They Can'
Members of TNT's studio team are in agreement that the Devils will repeat last season's success.
May 1, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils celebrate their win over the New York Rangers in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports - Lundqvist on Devils Repeating Last Season's Success: 'Absolutely They Can'"Can (the New Jersey Devils) repeat what they did last year? Absolutely they can."
Ex-New York Rangers goaltender and current TNT studio analyst Henrik Lundqvist agreed with his colleagues Liam McHugh and Paul Bissonnette that the Devils will repeat, if not exceed, their 2022-23 season success.
On Oct. 3, WBD Sports held a press conference with members of their studio team to preview the upcoming 2023-24 season. Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News asked the panel for their thoughts on the Devils for this upcoming season and if they could replicate their historic season.
A historic season that included a franchise record of 52 wins and 112 points. An impressive 49-point improvement, which became an NHL record. A league-leading 26 comeback wins, including nine multi-goal come-from-behind victories.
For the former netminder, it was the Devils' speed that caught his attention.
"I was so impressed with how fast they play," he said.
"I watched them a bunch of times last year playing the Rangers and other teams, and (they) just play fast," Lundqvist continued. "Yes, you need pretty quick players, but in the end, it's how fast you move the puck. That is going to determine if you're a quick team, and that's something they did extremely well. They are a top team to defend."
In 2017, Ken Campbell of The Hockey News published an article entitled "Devils Forging New Identity with Speed, Skill and Success." As fans know, there was a difficult stretch between the 2017-18 and 2022-23 seasons, but with the help of general manager Tom Fitzgerald and head coach Lindy Ruff, the club's speed, skill, and subsequent success are now on full display, making them a consistent threat.
"I think this team is built right now where they can be in the mix to make the Eastern Conference Final year in and year out," said McHugh.
The Devils will begin the 2023-24 campaign at Prudential Center on Oct. 12 when they host Dylan Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings. Captain Nico Hischier, flanked by Jack Hughes and Ondrej Palat, will look to get their team started on the right foot, as they will be without the element of a surprise that worked in their favor last season. It is a new challenge for a young club ready to take the next step.