It was a game that Jack Hughes had to win.
After getting pick-pocketed by his idol Patrick Kane the other night, Hughes came out scoring to put the Devils up 1-0. He had a multi-point game as did Dawson Mercer and Yegor Sharangovich.
The 18 goal offensive explosion in the past three games has been impressive with Hughes riding a seven game point streak. But what is even more impressive has been the sudden emergence of rookie goaltender Nico Daws in his past two games against the Penguins and Canucks.
"It's a good feeling for me and a good feeling for the guys,… Daws said.
And Devils fans noticed last night and it was a good feeling for them as well. After watching Mackenzie Blackwood and Jonathan Bernier go down with injuries and with rumors swirling of the Devils trading for an established starting goaltender, Daws is giving fans hope and they showed their appreciation as for his timely saves and stellar performance against the Canucks.
“We played a really good game. It was nice to have our fans back on our side,… Daws said of the Prudential Center crowd last night. “When we get up early, it’s more of I got to make sure the next one does not go in. And I can’t let the tides change. And I think we did a good job of that.…
One Devils fan, Steve Tartas, called the fan cheering on Daws as the “The Daws Pound… as the Jaws theme was played on my Devils After Dark post game podcast. Daws is making a good impression so far and he should start tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Lindy Ruff should play the hot goaltender and get him more NHL experience. You just never know. Daws could be the great New Jersey Devils goaltender since Martin Brodeur.
As what the Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald said to the Devils season ticket holders during an open practice:
"We are watching the next generation of Stanley Cup champions right before our eyes.…
Just maybe!
More on Daws
#NJDevils Nico Daws has conceded just three goals in his last two starts.
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) March 1, 2022
In that time he’s faced 76 shots.
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Sam Woo is co-host and executive producer of the Let's Go Devils Podcast which can be heard live every Sunday at 9pm ET and Wednesday at 8:30pm ET.
You can follow Sam on Twitter: @PrimetimeSamWoo