Bottom-six Anthony Mantha is finally on pace for top-six numbers with the Devils

Anthony Mantha’s free-agent signing was huge summer news, with his recent 33-goal campaign suggesting he could be the missing piece of the Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt line. Although it was soon revealed he wouldn’t be that piece, Mantha would be part of a lineup change that has the team 9-2-0 in its last 11 games.

Scoring five goals and four assists for nine points in that span, Mantha has been everything the Devils need him to be since landing on the third line.

The early going was rough for everyone, including Mantha

Anthony Mantha became a concern over the first five games of the season. His performance alongside Hughes and Bratt was, in the points department, invisible; his six shots on…