Mar 23, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Jersey Devils center Janne Kuokkanen (59), defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) and goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (29) celebrate win against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The New Jersey Devils‘ first half of the season was mostly awful. The team faced the worst COVID-19 outbreak in the league, a strong start was immediately thrown out the window, Mackenzie Blackwood and Jack Hughes have been inconsistent between elite and outmatched, and Nico Hischier has played five out of the Devils 30 games this season.