Devils Stat Attack: Markström, Finishing Troubles & More

In this version of Stat Attack, we take a look at Jacob Markström's elite play, the Devils not scoring to their expected numbers & plenty more

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The New Jersey Devils sit at 24-13-3 at the 40-game mark and are firmly entrenched in a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. While they have struggled a bit since returning from the Christmas break, most everything under the hood looks solid.

Since we've completed another set of 10 games, let's review some trends in the latest written edition of Stat Attack.

Markström Has Been Elite

We've talked plenty about Jacob Markström on recent podcasts, but what's a bit more? The Devils aren't winning hockey games solely because of goaltending, but he's certainly playing his part.

Markström has a .937 save percentage over his last ten starts to go along with an 8-1-1 record. He's saved 11.27 goals above expected over that stretch and has an outstanding high-danger SV% of .904. The Devils have made life easier by limiting quality chances and shots, but he's still been excellent.

Markström's SV% is up to .912 for the season, and he's now sixth in goals saved above expected (11.0) among qualified goaltenders league-wide on MoneyPuck. Nobody is beating Connor Hellebuyck for the Vezina this season, but Markström could sneak in as a finalist if he keeps this up.

Luke Hughes Continues Strong Play

Todd Cordell recently wrote about Luke Hughes' arrival, so let's touch on it here, too. Points were hard to come by for the younger Hughes brother earlier in the season, but they've been coming in droves lately.

Hughes has 15 points across his last 20 games — a 62-point pace over 82 games. His underlying numbers across this stretch have been fantastic, too. His 64.61 expected goals share (xG%) leads all Devils skaters over his last 20 games, and he's doing it playing elite two-way hockey.