New Jersey Devils closing in on 30-year-old NHL record

The New Jersey Devils’ franchise-tying 13-game winning streak has a pauper-turned-prince vibe. This team was 28th out of 32 NHL teams last season and has missed the NHL playoffs nine out of the past 10 seasons.

On Aug. 1, the Devils were a +6500 long shot to win the 2023 Stanley Cup.

But after downing the Connor McDavid-led Edmonton Oilers 5-2 Monday for their 13th consecutive win, the Devils (16-3-0) have the NHL’s second-best record and their odds to win the Stanley Cup improved to +2500.

The last time the Devils won 13 games in a row was February 16 to March 21, 2001. One of the team’s critical performers, Jack Hughes, wasn’t even born yet.

The Devils have a shot to break the franchise record Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve, when they play a home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. They still have work to break the NHL record of 17 wins in a row, set by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992-93.

Most pundits had the Devils with only an outside chance to make the playoffs. They boasted young talent but didn’t seem ready to make a giant leap forward. That thinking seemed to be validated by losses in their first two games to the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings. Neither of those teams made the playoffs last season.

In the second game, New Jersey fans chanted for coach Lindy Ruff to be fired.

Five weeks later, the Devils are the NHL’s most exciting team. You can make a case that they are the league’s fastest team. Led by forwards Jesper Bratt (8-16–24), Hughes (7-14–21), and Nico Hischier (9-13–22), the Devils push the tempo at all times.

Fans have even apologized to Ruff. They started chanting “Sorry, Lindy”

🚀 Cale Makar recorded his 200th point last night in just his 195th game, off a rocket one-timer, setting a new NHL record for the fastest to 200 points by a defenseman. The record was previously held by Sergei Zubov who required 207 games to hit the 200-point mark.

🫡 Patrice Bergeron recorded his 1,000th career point last night, assisting on Brad Marchand's sixth goal of the season. The Bruins' entire bench emptied to celebrate the milestone and even the fans at Amalie Arena broke out in a "Bergy" chant out of respect for the Triple Gold Club member and five-time Selke Award winner.

TRIVIA: How many players Boston Bruins have recorded 1,000 career points? Bonus: name them.

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TRIVIA ANSWER:

Four Boston Bruins have recorded 1,000 career points: Ray Bourque, Johnny Bucyk, Phil Esposito, and Patrice Bergeron