“That’s captain-like, isn’t it?”

That’s the first thing that Sheldon Keefe said when I asked him about Nico Hischier’s second-period performance against the Washington Capitals, with two goals in 10 seconds just 44 seconds into the period.

Captain-like indeed. Just unfortunate the team couldn’t capitalize in the end with a two-point night.

But that was the epitome of the lead-by-example moments you always hear about when it comes to Hischier and so far, he’s made (unsurprisingly) a really big impression on his new head coach.

“When I look at, certainly Nico, he’s the most consistent player on our team, one of the most consistent guys in the league to start this season,” Keefe said. “He has been exceptional on both sides of the puck. I have been so impressed coaching this guy.”

Keefe added that what he sees from Hischier is that he will always “give you everything he has” and plays with “great intelligence” so where better a place to start than Hischier two quick goals in this edition of 10 Takeaways, presented by Ticketmaster.

1.

Hischier’s performance will still be etched in the history books, as his two goals set a new franchise record for goals scored in such quick succession to start a period by a single player. It also marked only the 76th time a player in NHL history, like we’re talking about going back to the 1930s, a single player scored two goals in 10 seconds or less.

The record holder is Nels Stewart of the defunct Montreal Maroons holds the record from the 1930-31 season scoring two goals four seconds apart, he’s tied with Deron Quint of the first edition of the Winnipeg Jets in 1995-96.

Most recently it was Nathan Gerbe, then of the Buffalo Sabres, who scored two goals in five seconds in 2011.

2.

After the game, Nico shouldered the blame for a tough change on the bench that cost the Devils the overtime winner. It’s not unexpected that Nico would carry that burden, he does it and acknowledges it when these things happen.

Captain-like, isn’t it?

But what I liked even more, a few days later, was his head coach shouldering the blame for putting Hischier in that situation:

I probably didn’t help the situation given how much I kept throwing him over the boards in a game like that, that required so much energy and he was quite tired. He just does what’s required for the team and I’ve had good respect coming in to (this team) but being behind the bench and watching him every day and watching every game through video, yeah, he does so many great things out there that help the team control play and manage games that’s really exceptional. We’re fortunate to have him and I’m certainly fortunate to coach him.

3.

I would have to think that for Seamus Casey when he made the NHL right out of his first camp it may even have come as a big surprise to him. The odds, as a 20-year-old, fresh out of college player, are certainly stacked against you. Surely it was what he wanted and hoped for, but chances were perhaps unlikely until other defensemen were announced out with injuries.

I remember talking to him just before the start of training camp and being struck by how solid of a head he has on his shoulders in terms of understanding exactly who he is as a player, where he wants to go, and the multiple journies it could take to get there. Sheldon Keefe mentioned Casey’s maturity for such a young man as being a huge asset, especially when managing the feeling of being sent to the American Hockey League after breaking out in the NHL. It’s something I never doubted when it comes to Casey, who when you speak with him, you can tell is wise beyond his years and has a really solid emotional intelligence.

We talked about it; dealing with accepting whatever role, whatever league you’re assigned to and where his level headedness comes from.

Here’s what he had to say:

I’ve not been the top guy plenty of times. I think coming into junior, like NTDP helped with that. At times you just weren’t the top guy, or you had to accept a bit of a role and then maybe I got a new role I wanted and then it goes back. You’re constantly just competing with guys. Maybe the first year was really tough, looking around like ‘Why am I not where I want to be?’ and the second year, maybe a bit better. By the time I got to college I was just like ready to play my role as best I could and move up, and move up when I got my chances.

4.

Not a bad 24th birthday present for Daniil Misyul. That’s when he got the call that he was the first player being called up to the NHL this season. It’s not actually his first call-up, he had a brief stint in New Jersey last season but never actually played a game, only practiced.

Last season was Misyul’s first in North America, and admittedly took him a while to adjust. It’s a lot to ask of a person, to come over to a new country, halfway across the world, a completely different culture and lifestyle and not having a full grasp of the language. It can take time.

What’s truly remarkable is that Misyul did not speak or understand a word of English when he arrived in North America last season, he told us. I cannot imagine how difficult that can be, but he seems to have found a bit of a stride and it’s no easy feat giving interviews in English when you’re just starting to learn.

He said that last season while in Utica he took English classes and had a teacher to help him. He’s trying, he said. Which is really all you can ask and he’s certainly catching on quite well.

He also mentioned he’s lucky up here with the Devils as he has Sergei Brylin to help him out whenever he feels he doesn’t understand anything, Brylin helps him with any barriers in that way.

5.

Did you catch this meeting of the Prudential Center minds?

Kings of the @PruCenter

Great seeing @NJDevils head coach Sheldon Keefe at practice today‼️#DDD pic.twitter.com/qMwMbh3OE3

— Seton Hall Men's Basketball (@SetonHallMBB) October 21, 2024

6.

Sometimes it’s good to get perspective from another side, see what other people are seeing when you’re already so close to the action. When the Washington Capitals were in town, their head coach Spencer Carberry was asked about some of the bigger differences he sees in the Devils game this season. Here’s what he had to say, through the eyes of an NHL head coach:

What I do find is a little bit different is they are a much more shot-volume team with people on the interior, which I remember was something that (Keefe) really stressed in Toronto and was something difficult given the personnel. But it looks to me… you see Cotter’s goal last game (against Washington), they’re scoring a lot more. They did it to us in the first game of the season… they’re shooting a lot more pucks to the interior with people there.

And whether it’s Noesen, Cotter, some of the heavier guys they’ve brought in, are thriving in those environments. And even the undersized skill guys, the Bratts, the Hughes, the Mercers of the world, you can tell it’s leading to some sustained Ozone possession because they get the recovery and now their skill comes to fruition, they’re moving around the offensive zone and things open up from there.

So that’s one thing that I noticed more; attacking the net more with people on the interior.

That being said, I went to go check out where the Devils stand when it comes to shots from the interior in comparison to other teams in the league. Keeping in mind we’re not even 10 games into the regular season (and quite a bit ahead in terms of games compared to other teams), the NHL Edge tracking site has the Devils above the league average when it comes to shows from the interior, particularly at the net-front.

7.

Having a full understanding of the new system is one thing, but it’s how hard you work within it that will determine how effective it is; whether you’ll be able to get to the interior and generate the high shot volume.

It’s what Keefe hasn’t seen in their home-ice games that need fixing. They have a grasp on the system, but it’s not going to reach its full potential unless you’re working hard within it. Keefe has been an excellent communicator, even during his media availabilities. He’s thorough in his responses which offer great insight into how he’s feeling about the team.

When asked about his team adjusting to his system Keefe said he feels the team gets it; just without a raised level of compete, they’re going to get themselves into trouble:

When you don’t have that, the structure is irrelevant, in a lot of cases they’re in the right position, they’re just getting beat to the puck or beat to the net, things like that. That’s what it’s about for me. I think our team has a really good understanding of our structure and how we need to play, how we want to play. More often than not we’ve displayed that.

That’s what it’s about, having those breakdowns where we’re second. We’re second to pucks, we’re second in body positioning and then all of a sudden your structure breaks down.

8.

The imminent return of Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes means some decisions are looming. I’m not envious of those who have to make the big decisions about who sits and who lines up with who. All I know is that it’s a really nice problem to have.

9.

How perfect would it be if Luke Hughes was able to return for next Wednesday? It would make for a complete Hughes Bowl as the Devils visit Quinn and the Canucks.

10.

Jesper Bratt kept his games-played streak alive, though perhaps not feeling 100 percent. He missed Saturday’s morning skate before playing Washington and kept off the ice because he wasn’t feeling well, but he did manage to play to keep his streak intact.

He’s the owner of 175 straight games played, dating back to the 2021-22 season, having not missed a single game the past two years. He’s one of only 26 players currently playing in the NHL to have a streak of 175 straight games played. Of course, teammate Dawson Mercer is also on the list, never having missed a game in his career, sitting at 254 straight games.