5 Reasons New Jersey Devils Can Win Stanley Cup
Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his empty net goal against the New York Rangers in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center on May 01, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-0 to win the series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The New Jersey Devils took down the New York Rangers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was their first series win since beating the Rangers in 2012. That win sent them to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Los Angeles Kings. Still, we look on that year fondly because the Devils took down their cross-river rival when it mattered most.
The same goes for 2023. Everything from here on out is gravy. The year is officially a success. Lindy Ruff is officially our coach. We love this team, and it finally loves us back.
Yet, we can’t help but look ahead. How far can this team go? Spoiler alert, this team can win the Stanley Cup. They needed to show they could win in the playoffs. They took on a team littered with veterans. Not only did they win Game 7, they dominated. Despite getting three power plays in the first period, the Rangers never had a chance. The Devils won the game 4-0, sending a Rangers team home with nothing.
The Devils are 12 wins away from its fourth Stanley Cup Championship. It might as well be an eternity. However, they are one of the eight teams left fighting for a title. The Carolina Hurricanes are next on the list, and they have five reasons they can win it all this season.
New Jersey Devils goaltender Akira Schmid (40): Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
This season always seemed like a learning curve for the Devils. They need to “gain experience” before they can truly make a run. At least, that’s what the pundits said. They faced too steep a hill. Every analyst and expert was picking the Rangers to win the series or win in Game 7. Even with the settings lines falling even, things were not in the Devils favor. Just a week ago, the Devils were 25-1 to win the Stanley Cup. Now, the Devils are 6/1.
The reason the Devils’ odds jumped is more than just beating the Rangers in the first round. The main reason is the Florida Panthers beating the Boston Bruins. That completely changed everything. The Bruins were a favorite, and it wasn’t particularly close. They also had the Devils’ number, and it felt likely they would beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. On top of that, the defending champion Colorado Avalanche lost to the Seattle Kraken. It’s really anyone’s Cup this season.
Now, the Devils face a Hurricanes team without Andrei Svechnikov. They survived the New York Islanders in the first round. If the Devils can beat the Canes (which is a tall task, mind you), they face either a Maple Leafs team who got the monkey off their back, or a Panthers team who is playing with house money. Then, they face a Western team in the Stanley Cup Final. We know how the Devils treated the West this season.
