Devils’ Unlikely Duo of Alexander Holtz and Michael McLeod Continue to Build Chemistry

One of the biggest criticisms New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff faces is the frequency at which he changes his forward lines. Over the past few seasons, he has addressed the issue and explained the various reasons behind the switches. 

"The reason we change our lines some nights in-game and sometimes on the road is to get away from matchups," he said. "To get away from what other teams want. A lot of times, it's who is going best on the team."

Other reasons include finding balance among all four lines and switching out one player who could ignite another line that could use a spark. 

One positive that can come from the constant changes is finding chemistry between two unlikely players. 

Two players who have been dynamic when playing together this season are Alexander Holtz and Michael McLeod. 

The young Swede has a career-high 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 38 games. The Ontario native collected assists on two of the 21-year-old's nine goals, while Holtz has earned an assist on four of McLeod's ten goals this season. 

The two have not always started games together on the same line. Between getting the right matchups and injuries, McLeod and Holtz have only started 12 of 37 games together. 

For the first three games of the 2024 calendar year, McLeod has centered a line with Curtis Lazar on one side and Holtz on the other. The trio have combined for 11 points through three games and have been the team's hottest line. 

Recently, McLeod, who is on a three-game point streak, was asked what's working so well for him and his linemates. 

"I'm playing with two great players. I think it's a really good combination," McLeod said. "(Lazar) is so hard on pucks and great at mucking it up, and (Holtz) is a true sniper and finishes plays. It's been going well so far." 

Holtz agrees that McLeod's style of play compliments that of his own. 

"He's a very speedy winger, and he likes to carry the puck through the neutral zone," Holtz said. "I like to make plays when I get the puck. I think that's a really good (combination)." 

The duo are not always out on the ice simultaneously, but they make the most of their playing time together. It serves as a reminder that where a player falls respective to the first, second, third, or fourth lines does not really matter. It's the players' chemistry and how much of an impact they have in the minutes given by the coaching staff. 

Holtz has flourished this season playing alongside the team's gritty role players. Oddly enough, they bring out the best in the young sniper, who finally appears to have found a place in the lineup.