'We're not a joke this year': Wood, Devils enjoying 11-game win streak
The New Jersey Devils' message to opposing teams during their 11-game win streak is coming through loud and clear.
"We play hard, we play fast, and we're not a joke this year," forward Miles Wood told reporters Friday after practice. "We're a serious team and that's the best part about it because I've been on the teams where we haven't had success and I think teams kind of took us for granted at times. You can't say that this year."
The Devils have ranked among the bottom five teams in the league in three of the past four seasons. They also allowed the third most goals (986) from 2018-19 to 2021-22.
The young squad has flipped the script this season, though. The Devils are currently sporting a plus-22 goal differential - tied for second-best with the Vegas Golden Knights - while leading all teams in several key metrics at five-on-five, including goals for (64.3%), expected goals for (63.1%), and scoring chances for (62.2%), according to Natural Stat Trick.
New Jersey has missed the playoffs in four consecutive campaigns but is on course to snap the unfortunate streak this year. It currently sits atop the Metropolitan Division with a 14-3-0 record.
Wood was with the Devils the last time they made the postseason in 2017-18, and the veteran sees some differences between that team and his present squad.
"I feel like this team has a lot more depth in terms of skill whereas the playoff year ... (Taylor Hall) carried us," Wood said.
Hall captured the Hart Trophy that campaign and ranked sixth in league scoring with 93 points in 76 games.
Wood has played all 343 games of his NHL career in a Devils jersey, but the win streak is clearly meaningful for the team's newer members, too.
"This is pretty special to be part of," sophomore forward Dawson Mercer said. "Every day, we're coming into the locker room the day after a win (with) smiles on our faces all the time.
"We're still trying to get better and it's really working for us. ... We just want to make sure we maintain that."
The Devils will attempt to extend their streak Saturday against the Ottawa Senators at 1 p.m. ET.