Five takeaways from the New Jersey Devils' blowout victory over the Ottawa Senators:
1) Jesper Bratt put forth yet another strong performance last night and, at this point, I feel quite comfortable saying he deserves a nine-game tryout. He has been one of the team's best players each and every night and has made a positive impact in all aspects of the game. Entering camp, the Devils made it quite clear there are a few spots up for grabs and whichever players play best will get said spots. If that's true, Bratt should unquestionably be on the opening night roster. Whether he's completely ready or not remains to be seen -- he hasn't faced a lineup *full* of NHLers yet -- but he's earned the opportunity to try and prove that he is. Quite frankly, I think it'd send a bad message if he doesn't get a look in some NHL games because he couldn't possibly be having a better camp.
2) I was really impressed by Pavel Zacha's play once again. He has so much confidence with the puck right now and looks like a completely different player. He's skating well, he's attacking the net, he's distributing the puck and he's not remotely panicky in the defensive zone without it. Bratt has been the biggest surprise of camp, but Zacha looking ready to take the next step may be the biggest positive. The Devils really need him to develop into a high-end player and it seems like he's on the right track.
3) I think Nico Hischier is quickly erasing any doubts people had re: his ability to play center at the NHL level. He's not a big body, but he's driving the net, leaning on guys, and really battling for pucks along the walls. He's always back in the defensive zone to support the defense and provide an easy outlet, too. Commitment is half the battle and that's certainly not a problem with him.
Nico comes back below the goal-line to support the D, skates puck out of trouble, and moves it up to Stafford to create odd-man rush. pic.twitter.com/nMyXfNcCJH
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) September 26, 2017
4) Taylor Hall was a beast through the neutral zone last night as he recorded a team-leading six controlled zone entries. His speed, and ability to navigate his way through traffic, is almost unmatched league-wide.
5v5 zone entry numbers for the Devils vs the Sens. Hall had a really good night and, man, Quenneville loves dumping the puck in. pic.twitter.com/TQyHZGqrnk
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) September 26, 2017
5) Dalton Prout quietly had another good game. He made a couple nice defensive plays in one-on-one situations -- he didn't get danced around or blown by like we have seen at times in past years -- and was very efficient breaking the puck out of the zone with five controlled exits on six attempts. He may not make the Devils, but he's playing well enough to deserve a shot elsewhere if he gets waived.
5v5 zone exit numbers for the Devils vs the Sens. Greene led the way in attempts, exits and possession exits but Prout was most efficient pic.twitter.com/uhzcSElBeE
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) September 26, 2017
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