Timo Meier is back and playing well for the Devils

Professional, Featured, Ice Hockey, New Jersey Devils

March 8, 2024

Timo Meier has recently shown why he received an eight-year contract with the Devils after having a rough majority of the 2023-2024 season.

Meier has posted 11 points in the past seven games and has a four-game goal streak. He found the back of the net seven times, including one natural hat trick against the St. Louis Blues. He also added four assists during that time. Before he started this hot streak, he had only 22 points in 43 games. Ten of those points were goals, which is very unlike the player he was in San Jose.

Although Meier found his groove before the coaching change, there is no doubt this change will help him. With former Devils' head coach Lindy Ruff, he was constantly playing on his off-wing and not used correctly on the powerplay or at all. With interim head coach Travis Green, Meier is now playing on his usual wing, the right wing, and could be seen as the net-front presence on the power play. One of Meier's three goals from his hat trick was from him slotting into that spot. This change has allowed him to become the power forward he was supposed to be.

Another move from Green was putting him on Nico Hischier's wing, something fans have been waiting to see. These two have created chemistry together through playing for the Swiss national team. They played together as early as 2016 on Team Switzerland in the IIHF World Junior Championships. For some reason, when Ruff was coach, Hischier and Meier barely played together, and Meier was sometimes pushed down to the third line.

It is clear that Meier's play has been improving lately. He constantly shoots the puck when he is on the ice and creates high-danger chances around the net. In that same seven-game timespan, he has ended games more times with two or more shots than with a single shot. In two games specifically, he ended the game with seven shots and nine shots.

Timo has played a more physical game recently as he finishes his checks, does the dirty work around the net, and wins battles along the boards.

Meier was undoubtedly the Devils' best player during the California trip. He had four points, two goals, and two assists in those three games. As it was not the best trip by the Devils and ultimately led to the firing of Ruff, Meier continued to be a bright spot during all of it.

For most of the season, Meier has been playing hurt. There were two separate incidents early in the season that sidelined him for a bit of time. The Devils played 13 games without him and then played the majority of the games with a not-fully-healthy Meier. The difference between a healthy Meier and a 50% Meier is evident. The Devils still believe there is a chance at the playoffs. If he is healthy again and used as a power forward, he can be a key to the Devils' success.

The Devils play the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday and look to add another win to their record. Every game is vital as the Devils look to keep climbing into a playoff position.