New Jersey Devils Goaltending Is Strong Once Again

There were several question marks surrounding the state of the New Jersey Devils goaltending entering the season. However, those questions have been pushed aside as the Devils increase their winning streak to 11 games in a row.

A big reason why goaltending has become a strength is the play of Vitek Vanecek. General manager Tom Fitzgerald traded for Vanecek in the summer. He was originally brought in to be the backup to Mackenzie Blackwood. However, with Blackwood on IR for the next three to six weeks with a knee injury, it is Vanecek’s net and he is shining.

Over his last nine appearances, Vanecek has a record of 8-0-0 with 1.78 goals against average and a .933 save percentage including one shutout. Over that span, Vanecek has faced 225 shots stopping 210 of them. That is pretty good for a guy who was supposed to be the backup.

Entering the season many people questioned if the New Jersey Devils had strong enough goaltending to compete in a tough Metro Division. Especially considering their recent history. Two seasons ago the Devils had thought they had solved their goalie woes when they signed Corey Crawford. Before the season even started Crawford retired. So it derailed that season.

Then last season, the Devils thought once again they had solved their goalie issues with the signing of Jonathan Bernier. However, last season was not ideal. Blackwood once was dealing with an ankle issue not to mention his COVID fiasco. Bernier was often injured forcing the Devils to use seven goaltenders last year. That statistic alone will not get a team into the playoffs.

While Nico Daws and Akira Schmid did their best, they were not ready to be starters on a daily basis in the NHL. And Fitzgerald knew that entering the season. Thus the acquisition of Vanecek. And right now the Washington Capitals might be regretting not keeping one of Vanecek or Ilya Samsonov. But one team’s loss is another gain. And the Devils are benefitting from Vanecek’s play.

Consistent quality starting goaltending has evaded the New Jersey Devils for quite some time now. Devils fans were spoiled with Martin Brodeur and his quality backups. Then there were the Cory Schneider years which the Devils wasted with one playoff appearance. That was on the back of Keith Kinkaid. However, this season it feels like the Devils have turned a corner and have that quality starting goaltender that will bring them back to the playoffs.

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It was a struggle early on as it appeared to be a repeat of seasons past. However, once the goalies settled into their roles things took off. The tandem of Blackwood and Vanecek was performing well. Unfortunately for Blackwood, who was coming into the season healthy, sustained another injury. This time a sprained MCL.

Enter Vanecek, who has taken the reigns of has not relinquished outside of two appearances by Akira Schmid. One in relief against the Senators on November 10th, when Vanecek had to leave the game as a precaution after colliding with Thomas Chabot. Schmid was rock solid for the Devils and like Vanecek was giving them timely saves. Something that was missing over the last couple of seasons.

Schmid faced seven shots in relief against the Senators, including four quality chances in overtime with Ottawa on the power play. He carried that performance into the next game against the Arizona Coyotes. Though it has not been confirmed, Schmid was most likely getting the start even if Vanecek was healthy.

And that has been one of the biggest differences this season over the last few seasons. Instead of being a hindrance, goaltending has been an advantage for the New Jersey Devils. It has kept them in games and allowed the team to build momentum to find different ways to win games over this 11-game winning streak. Especially the timely save.

“When you’re looking at some of the saves he (Vanecek) has made, I thought in the first period he made a couple of real quality saves,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff explained after the Calgary Flames game. “I thought we were struggling (in our end), but we were keeping quite a bit of (the shots) to the outside, which is different from the past. We stayed away from the odd-numbered rushes, and we stayed away from high-quality (chances against us), but they definitely had us hemmed in our zone. When we needed him he made that big save, and he did. I think the one save in the second period, (Lindholm) was driving the net and that leg save was probably the save that helped win the hockey game.”

Many questioned the acquisition of Vanecek in the offseason. But Tom Fitzgerald saw something that many people didn’t. A goaltender that was coming into his own and ready to take the next step. In his rookie season, Vanecek recorded 21 wins followed by 20 wins in his sophomore season. Vanecek posted identical .908 save percentage in those seasons which was right at the league average. His 2.69 goals against average his rookie year and his 2.67 goals against average the following season were also under the league average. Talk about a consistent quality goaltender that had the potential to be a starter.

Tom Fitzgerald had a belief in his goaltenders. The numbers back it up. And through this 11-game winning streak, Fitzgerald has made yet another great trade acquisition joining the likes of John Marino and Jonas Seigenthaler (also acquired from the Capitals).

With Jonathan Bernier sideline for the foreseeable future and Blackwood recovering from his injury, it is Vanecek’s net. And even when Blackwood does come back, it will be Vanecek’s net. One thing is for sure… goaltending which was an area of weakness has become an area of strength for the New Jersey Devils.