New look in net for Devils should keep them in serious contention

Only two games have been played so far in this NHL season, but one team that has looked impressive is the New Jersey Devils.

Their two victories over the Buffalo Sabres during last weekend’s Global Series in Prague, Czechia showed early on that the Devils are a much more confident group than last year, especially between the pipes.

Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen did an excellent job keeping the Sabres off the board. Markstrom stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced in the season opener on Friday, before Allen gave up just one goal on 18 shots in Saturday’s victory.

After last season, the Devils needed to bolster their goaltending talent, which is why Tom Fitzgerald acquired Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. The former Vezina Trophy candidate brings loads of playoff experience to a New Jersey team that wants more games in the postseason. With Allen in tow, the Devils have a good veteran duo to put in an outstanding effort every night.

This duo in the Garden State is certainly good enough to carry New Jersey back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Tuesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli explains what makes the Devils tandem a huge strength for the team.

Frank Seravalli: They finally solved their goaltending, I believe, for the first time in Tom Fitzgerald’s tenure as GM. They’ve got two guys in Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen that, on any given night, should give that team a chance to win all 82 games. That’s all you can ask of your goaltending, and I’ve got the Devils winning the Metro Division in the regular season.

I think this team is really good, and I think they’ve got the ability to take a big step.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…