What Went Wrong: Devils' Elite Eight Loss Ends a Dream Season

Many thought that the first team to receive a second round exit this season would be the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they ended up breaking the brooms in their elimination game. Could the New Jersey Devils do the same? They definitely had the chance to escape the proverbial axe. They were up 2-1 late in the second period, but Brent Burns tied the game at the period's final minute. A quite third period led to overtime being forced for the first time in this series, but a Delay of Game penalty resulted in the Carolina Hurricanes going on the power play, which cashed in when Jesperi Kotkaniemi's shot went past Akira Schmid.

This was a dream season for the Devils, going 52-22-8 and finishing just one point behind the Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division. The team reached the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season, but their series against the New York Rangers got off to a rough start, as they lost Games One and Two of that series at home. Once Schmid entered the net, the defense improved, and the Devils ended up ousting the Rangers, winning their first playoff series since the 2012 Eastern Conference Final, which was also against the Rangers. Despite the closeness in the standings between the Devils and Hurricanes, it was quite a lopsided series, with three of New Jersey's losses being routs.

Despite this, I don't think anything really went wrong for the Devils. They were just simply beaten. Such is life in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It still amazes me how close Jack Hughes was to becoming a member of the Colorado Avalanche. He was the top player among the prospects in the 2019 draft; the equivalent of what Connor Bedard is this year. The 2018-19 season actually saw the Avalanche in the lottery after coming withing one win of the Final Four, all thanks to that Matt Duchene trade. Colorado ended up with the #4 pick, which became 2022 Stanley Cup Champion Bowen Byram, and it was the Devils who won the Jack Hughes sweepstakes, as they got the #1 pick and drafted Hughes. He has definitely impressed after four years in the NHL, but how would his first-ever postseason go? Six goals, five assists, 11 points total in 12 games. Not too shabby. Even more epic: Jack Hughes' first career playoff goal was a penalty shot goal.

Erik Haula scored four goals, which was second behind Hughes, but only had two assists to go with those goals. Regarding points, Ondrej Palat, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer each had seven points, while Jesper Bratt also had six points of his own. Timo Meier, who was traded to the Devils from San Jose, didn't have a good postseason; only four points (two of each) in 11 games. Same went for Dougie Hamilton, who also had four points, but only one goal.

The Devils' season came to an early end, but they have a lot to be proud of this year. The offseason they had, as well as the trade deadline, really did wonders for New Jersey. A 50+ win season and some playoff advancement, resulting in a lot of the team's young players getting their first taste of playoff experience. With their season now done, the Devils will look to have another successful offseason like the one they just had. They have no reason to rush; the window is just now open, but only a crack. Some big acquisitions could end up opening it just a bit wider.

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