Earlier this season, New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom suffered an MCL sprain, an injury he had never experienced before.
He returned to action and played his first game on Mar. 2, his first in over a month's time. Finding his game would be a process, as he was on the losing end of four of his first five starts post-injury.
"He is a feel-based guy," head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "He needs to be in there, needs the reps, and sometimes you have to work your way through things. I think that was the process, and he is in a real nice spot now."
A nice spot indeed, as Markstrom posted his fourth shutout of the 2024-25 campaign on Saturday afternoon against the New York Rangers as his team defeated their Hudson River rivals, 4-0. Timo Meier (2), Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt scored in the victory.
The veteran netminder made 26 saves, shutting out the Rangers for the second time this season. Per Devils Pr, "Markstrom is the second Devils netminder all-time who recorded two shutouts in a regular-season series against the Rangers. Martin Brodeur first earned the feat in 2003-04.
"It is a good moment," Markstrom said of Saturday's victory. "I think we have to build every game and have to get better. We got to clean stuff up, and there is no better way to do that than when you win hockey games."
It seems that the turning point for Markstrom came on Mar. 29 at Xcel Energy Center against the Minnesota Wild. The 35-year-old made 22 saves on 24 shots in his team's 5-2 victory and was emotionally invested throughout all three periods.
"You want a guy who can control his emotions, and I have been very impressed with the way Markstrom does it," Curtis Lazar told The Hockey News. "I think everyone sees the fire that he has, the odd stick smash here and there, but as soon as he gets off the ice and takes off his gear, it is gone. He doesn't carry any weight."
Since that game against the Wild, Markstrom has earned wins in his last three starts, with the latest being Saturday afternoon's shutout.
"He was unbelievable," Nico Hischier said of Markstrom's performance against New York. "He made some great saves in crucial moments of the game. (I am) really happy for him. The work he has done, and now getting the shutout, I think we are all really happy."
The Devils traded defenseman Kevin Bahl and a first-round pick to acquire Markstrom this past summer. All season, Keefe has said the Swede is his number one goaltender, and with the playoffs around the corner, Markstrom appears to be returning to form.
The same form that earned him Third Star of the Month for December after earning an 8-1-1 record, a 1.30 goals-against average, and a .937 save percentage.
It seems Markstrom is back, and it could not come at a better time.
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog
Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'