Devils Notebook: Palát, Markström & More

New Jersey Devils notes on Ondřej Palát's resurgence, Jacob Markström's inconsistencies, and more...

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The New Jersey Devils have been playing good hockey over the last few games and will look to continue that with a back-to-back against the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks this weekend.

With that, let's look at some recent trends, including Ondřej Palát's game beginning to come around, Jacob Markström needing to improve in a certain aspect of his game, and more.

Palát Improving

Palát did not get off to a good start this season. In fact, he was one of the worst forwards in the NHL through about the first ten games or so; he had an expected goals share (xG%) of 35.7 percent.

Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe moved Palát around the lineup the first few games of the season. He even played on the fourth line for a few games before Keefe promoted him to a unit with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt.

Good coaches know how to get the best out of players, and Keefe seems to be getting the best out of Palát on a line with Hughes and Bratt. That combo has played about 85 minutes together, posting a 56.68 xG%, and has improved with each game.

The Devils likely wouldn't have beaten the Montreal Canadiens 5-3 a couple of nights ago if it weren't for the Palát, Hughes and Bratt line, and Palát is playing his part. He scored a goal and would've had another if Sam Montembault hadn't made an incredible shoulder save.

Palát has been excellent over the team's last five games, totaling an xG% of 62.41 percent. He does many of the little things well that don't always show up on the scoresheet, and it's helping Bratt and Hughes do their thing as they usually would.

I'm not sure Palát will get to a point where he's scoring enough to be a fixture on Hughes and Bratt's line when the playoff race heats up. But it's working now, so there's no need to make a change. Perhaps I was too quick to proclaim Palát as washed, because it still looks like he has something left in the tank.