What Dougie Hamilton’s Possible Return Means for the Devils
In a Devils season cursed with injuries throughout the season, any news would be good news for this team. Fortunately, New Jersey at last received a slight break after a slim bit of good news stumbled upon them. Said to have been out for the season, Devils’ defenseman Dougie Hamilton could potentially return sooner than previously thought. Hamilton started skating the previous week and seems to be recovering faster than expected, a return could be slightly possible for the upcoming postseason. With Dougie Hamilton's chance of returning for the postseason, this changes quite a lot.
The 31-year-old defenseman has been out with a lower-body injury since New Jersey's 4-3 loss against the Dallas Stars on March 4th. Through their 13 games without him, they are 7-5-1, quite impressive as they maintain third in the Metropolitan. Even more impressive considering key players like Jack Hughes and Jonas Siegenthaler remain absent. Six games remain for the Devil’s regular season, so obviously Hamilton's return would be during the postseason, more likely the second round rather than the first. Though he’s seen better seasons, Hamilton has collected 40 points with nine goals and 31 assists, with a plus-nine rating through his 63 games played. The stats aren’t anything to brag about, but with the loss of Jack Hughes, this Devils team needs any kind of help, no matter the player. As Devils defenseman Luke Hughes starts to step up, Hamilton’s return would undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with defensively, but can the Devils survive until then?
With Hamilton’s return looking more likely in the second round of the postseason, New Jersey will have to survive the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round without the defenseman. The Hurricanes just recently punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs just last night with their 5-1 win against the Washington Capitals, and have the time now to prepare for the Devils. This first round will surely test this injured Devils lineup, with much pressure still falling on Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce to keep up on defense, and offense for that matter with Hughes. Producing 13 points in his previous 12 games played, fans can only hope his skills can carry over to where it truly matters in the end. As Hamilton continues to recover by the day, having him back on the blue line in a very unlikely chance this first round would be very much key. Sixteen days remain until it all starts, and this Devils team must be prepared to work with what they have, and just hope this lineup has what it takes.
