Following a disappointing 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, New Jersey Devils coach Sheldon Keefe has publicly challenged his team to show more grit and response, particularly after a mid-game fight between captain Nico Hischier and Toronto's Matthew Knies. The Devils, now 20-16-2, struggled to find an answer for the Maple Leafs' Joseph Woll, who recorded his fourth shutout of the season against them.
The Hischier-Knies altercation occurred at 6:22 of the third period, with Toronto already leading 2-0. The brief fight, Hischier's second career NHL fight, didn't spark the momentum shift the Devils desperately needed. Seconds later, Calle Jarnkrok extended Toronto's lead to 3-0, further dampening any hope of a New Jersey comeback.
Keefe's frustration stems from what he perceives as a lack of collective response following the fight. While he acknowledged Hischier's willingness to engage physically, the coach expected more players to step up and inject energy into the team. "Show some emotion," Keefe reportedly told the team, emphasizing the need for a stronger reaction when a teammate, especially the captain, is involved in a physical confrontation.
The Devils' offensive struggles have compounded their problems. The entire forward group seems to have simultaneously gone cold, leaving the team searching for answers. Despite generating scoring chances, they haven't been able to convert them into goals. Keefe has been working with the team on the "mental side of it," trying to help them break through this slump. He had hoped that Jesper Bratt's two-goal performance in a previous game would spark a positive trend, but the team has failed to capitalize on that.
The loss against Toronto highlighted several areas of concern. The Devils' penalty kill faltered, allowing Toronto to score the first goal of the game on the power play. Ondrej Palat's missed clearing attempt led directly to Bobby McMann's goal, giving Toronto a 1-0 lead. The Maple Leafs later extended their lead on another power play, with Nicolas Roy tipping the puck past Markstrom.
Keefe's challenge to the team is a clear message that he expects more intensity and accountability. As the Devils navigate this difficult stretch, they will need to find a way to translate their scoring chances into actual goals and respond with more collective emotion when faced with adversity.
