When the Devils play at Carolina Tuesday night to begin their five-game road swing, it'll be their 41st game of the season, marking the halfway mark on the year.
The club has had a remarkable run of success to start the 2022-23 campaign, which includes a 13-game winning streak. They sit in second place in the Metro Division with a 25-12-3 record for 53 points (four behind first place Carolina).
"We wanted to show growth. I think we have in the areas that we needed," Ruff said. "Defensively we needed to show growth. If you look at the numbers defensively, we're in a good place. We have to try to maintain that. Offensively, recently we've struggled a little bit to put the puck in the back of the net. The puck's starting to go now again."
The Devils' contest against Carolina could be a four-point swing and could help New Jersey climb closer to the top of the division.
"I think where we're at right now, we would have taken that 100 percent at the beginning of the year," captain Nico Hischier said.
The Devils have made incredible progress as individuals and a franchise in the opening half. But now is not the time to rest on their laurels.
"Maintaining a high level of defensive play, but finish the offensive opportunities," Ruff emphasized as the club's goals in the second half. "It's one thing to get (scoring chances), but we have to finish them. There's no secret, if you can get to three, four (goals) in a game, you're going to win most games. The games we've lost, we've struggled to get to two."
