Tomáš Tatar (photo: Instagram/New Jersey Devils)
The New Jersey Devils will return to the playoffs this season. It’s not official yet, but few doubt that it won’t be like that. And one of the valuable players for the young team in this part of the year will be a veteran Tomas Tatar.
The Slovak attacker has experience from 40 games of fighting for the Stanley Cup, which is not the only reason why he could be a difference maker for New Jersey in the playoffs. As Dan Rice of Puck and Pitchforks points out, opponents will focus on neutralizing top players like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt. This means that the other players will have to step up, including the player with number 90.
“Besides the aforementioned trio and defender Dougie Hamilton, the team’s other most productive players this season are Dawson Mercer and Tomáš Tatar. Both have had different moments this season, whether it was the winning goal, the equalizer or the goal or pass that started the turnaround.” Rice noted.
“At some point in April, they’re going to have to make big plays in close games that could swing the series in the Devils’ favor. If, and that’s a big if, the Devils could survive the first round, the sky would be the limit. I truly believe that. The first round is always the most intense, and this young group could have even more confidence if they find a way to win the organization’s first series in nearly a decade.”
Rice points to how the team has bonded this season. He does not know for sure if the club will make any acquisitions before the transfer deadline, but he is confident that Mercer and Tatar will not be replaced.
“Mercer and Tatar will be here at the end of April and will be the X-factor that will have a big impact on whether the Devils advance past the opening round of the playoffs.” he added.
