With Jacob Markstrom unavailable the New Jersey Devils still need to win games. Right now, having Nico Daws in goal would be their best bet to do so.
The New Jersey Devils have 27 games remaining in the 2024-25 season. Points are at a premium and with two games remaining before the league takes a break for the Four Nations faceoff, the Devils could use to win both. Doing so in any fashion would boost them to 70 points on the season going into the break. There is, however, a catch here: the team is still with its starting goaltender, Jacob Markstrom.
Originally, the team called up Isaac Poulter to partner with Jake Allen. New Jersey has since sent Poulter back to the AHL and brought Nico Daws back up. While neither Utica goalie was setting their league on fire this season, Daws at least has NHL experience. With the Devils needing points as I said, this move made the most sense in case Allen needed rest or if he faltered.
Unfortunately, Allen did falter; while he was good in shutting out the Flyers on January 29th, he followed that up by allowing four goals against the lowly Sabres. Did I mention all four came within the first two periods? The Devils pulled Allen for the third, and Daws looked good as the team almost pulled back to even but came up just short. Daws would get the most recent start against Pittsburgh as well, and you could argue he was the reason the Devils emerged as winners of the shootout on Tuesday.
Now I’ve spoken about Allen before here. I think he’s got the most part a good goalie, but as I’ve said this season something seems off with his confidence. As soon as one pick gets into the net behind him, the floodgates open up this season. If the Devils want to keep adding points and potentially climbing the standings, they need to go with Daws until Markstrom is ready.
Daws isn’t a perfect goalie and he’s still young and learning. I’m sure he’d love to have that wrap around goal back from Tuesday but again it’s part of the learning experience. What I’ve liked about Daws’ game, both in the past and in his limited action this week, is his poise. Even when he allowed a goal, his play and positioning didn’t falter. When the second went in, he bounced back by making some huge saves to keep the Devils in the game.
One goal of any hockey game is to ice the lineup that gives you the best chance to win. Markstrom isn’t the only injury the Devils are dealing with right now, and they’re trying to insert players that they believe gives them the best chance to win. If management and the coaching staff have been paying attention this season, it sadly isn’t Jake Allen who’s going to gives the Devils that chance. Right now, it’s Nico Daws. If Daws struggles tonight then maybe you go back to Allen on Saturday; that’s part of how hockey works. But you have one goalie who seems to be playing with confidence and one whose confidence seems to be gone as soon as he gets beat. I don’t know about you, but I know which one I take if I’m the Devils and looking to be at 70 points by the end of play on Saturday.
Give Nico Daws the net against Vegas and Montreal.
What are your thoughts on the Devils potentially relying more on Daws; is it a good idea? Would you rather see the team rely on Jake Allen’s veteran skill set? Are you simply hoping these are the last two games this season where Markstrom is unavailable? Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!