Devils' Core Players Proved They're Not the Problem During Playoffs

Timo Meier, Nico Hischier & Jesper Bratt proved they're not the issues with the New Jersey Devils' roster

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The New Jersey Devils bowed out in five games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs. It wasn't the result anyone had hoped for at the start of the season, but it was expected given how 2024-25 unfolded.

While the Devils didn't advance to the second round, they battled in every game; they even went to double OT twice. That's because the Devils' core players showed they're not the problem and that the supporting cast needs improvement.

Meier, Hischier & Bratt Did Their Part

The Devils had a tall task ahead of them against the Hurricanes since Jack Hughes wasn't available due to injury. The injuries only got worse, as Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon and Johnathan Kovacevic also missed most of the series.

That put plenty on the plates of Timo Meier, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, but they delivered. Meier had trouble finishing his chances early in the series, but he broke through as the series progressed and was one of the team's best players.

Meier finished the playoffs with an expected goals share (xG%) of 69.22 percent at five-on-five, leading all Devils skaters. He was the team's most efficient five-on-five scorer, averaging 2.78 points per 60 minutes, and created 6.26 high-danger chances per 60, the second-best rate on the team. He just needs to find that consistency during the regular season.

Hischier did not collect an assist against the Hurricanes, but he was the Devils' leading goal-scorer, and for good reason. He created the most high-danger and scoring chances per 60 among Devils skaters.

Hischier also totaled an xG% of 57.44 percent, mostly in some incredibly difficult minutes against Jordan Staal and Sebastian Aho's lines. He played like the team's captain and led by example while carrying Ondřej Palát on his wing for most of the series.