New Jersey Devils forwards Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer have earned praise from their head coach for their defensive play to start the season.
New Jersey Devils forwards Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer have earned praise from their head coach for their defensive play to start the season.
Hockey is the ultimate team game. Every player has a specific role, whether scoring goals, taking the face-offs, or preventing the other team from getting on the board.
Through the first six games of 2024-25, New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe reunited a line from the 2022-23 season: Tomas Tatar - Nico Hischier - Dawson Mercer.
The trio has been used as a shutdown line and, through the first handful of games, has been on the ice against the opposing team's top players, including Auston Matthews and Alexander Ovechkin.
Over the first few weeks of the season, Keefe has praised the line.
"I have liked that line each and every game that we've played," Keefe said on Oct. 14. "You know, even if they are not scoring, which I do believe they will, they have given us very important minutes. (Just) look at (Hischier) and (Mercer) and the job they are doing on the penalty kill as well. Those are very valuable and important minutes they are giving us."
Mercer leads all forwards in shorthanded ice per game (1:37) and has only given up one high-danger chance while on the penalty kill.
"(Mercer) has done a tremendous job on the penalty kill," Keefe said. "A really, really good job on the penalty kill. It has been very impressive."
Hischier is second among all forwards in shorthanded ice time per game. Keefe has heavily relied upon his captain this season, especially in the face-off circle.
As of Oct. 16, Hischier won 85 of 145 face-offs (58.6%), which marks the most total face-off wins in the NHL. Additionally, his 54 even-strength face-off wins ranked first in the NHL.
"He's been so strong in the face-off circle, taking those responsibilities seriously and recognizing that is part of his job," Keefe said of Hischier. "In some cases, he is going to give up some offense in order to be in the right spots and to do a good job there. I think that it is important for him to pick his spots."
Hischier has five points (three goals, two assists) through six games played. It is worth noting that three of those points came while his team was on the power play.
Every forward wants to contribute to the scoresheet, but Hischier and Mercer understand their role. They know Keefe is leaning on them, and they will be responsible for taking on those tough matchups at five-on-five.
"You got to play good defense to get the puck first before you go on offense," Mercer said ahead of Thursday's game. "You don't want to cheat the game. ...Offense will come, so we got to make sure that we keep the puck out of our net. If you do that enough times the right way, the goals will come afterward."
Through six games, the Devils have averaged 2.17 goals against per game, fifth-best in the league. Entering tonight's game, the club has a penalty kill percentage of 93.8%, giving up only one goal shorthanded through 16 attempts.
New Jersey's defensive play has been very much improved to begin the season, and despite not being the team's current point leader, it can't be understated how impactful Hischier and Mercer's defensive play has been over the past few weeks.
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