Hischier's Career Year Shows His Maturation | FEATURE

By now you've seen the play.
As the final minute of regulation ticked close in a 1-1 deadlock at Dallas Saturday afternoon, Devils captain Nico Hischier took matters into his own hands, or his own stick if you will.
Hischier carried the puck in the offensive zone, holding onto the rubber for a stretch of 18 of 20 seconds. During that time, he used his body to shield the puck, used his skating to stay ahead of the checking Stars forwards (Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin) and was able to change direction enough to give himself space. Finally, on the last cut he was able to open up a lane toward the goal. Hischier took advantage, bringing the puck to the net and scoring short side to give New Jersey a 2-1 lead with 1:11 remaining in what would be a 3-1 victory.
"The hole that you saw was from being able to outskate and outplay the guys that he was up against," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "Once he made the move, when he got around the other side of the net, he was able to go in alone which doesn't happen very often. Most teams you'll see a hard collapse around the net where there is no ice. We were fortunate in that case where they were staying hard man-on-man. He did a lot of work man-on-man."
It's probably too early to call it a signature goal for Hischier, but it is no doubt one of his most memorable - and remarkable.

"You've got to feel good about being able to make that play," Ruff said, "hanging onto the puck for the amount of time that he hung onto it and then finish the play off."
Of course, the dancing and dangling was entertaining. But it would have all gone for naught had Hischier not been able to end the play by scoring.
"We're probably not talking about it if it doesn't go into the back of the net," Ruff said. "It probably goes by the wayside. So, to finish it off he has to feel real good about it."
Hischier did indeed finish the play off. And it was his 20th finished play of the season, helping him tie a career high with 20 goals scored, previously accomplished during his 2017-18 rookie campaign.
"That was my first year," Hischier recalled. "I was playing with (Taylor Hall) and had an unbelievable year. I just try to get better as a player and try to help the team more every year. Every player should have that mindset. I'll try to improve this summer as well and hopefully be better next year."

Speaking of improve, while Hischier has tied a career high in goals, he's already set new highs in assists (34) and points (54) in 63 games played. That's an even better points per game average (.86) than that novice campaign four years ago (.63).
"Something I've been working on is my shot," Hischier said. "I'm not a big shooter. Or working on taking the shot instead of passing. Every shot a goal can go in. You never know. That's what I'm trying to work on."
The shot work has paid off. Hischier became the fourth player on the Devils roster to reach the 20-goal plateau. It's also part of the rising trajectory on which the coaching staff sees his game.
"You always have young players that you set the bar pretty high because as they continue to develop, they'll get stronger, their shots will get better," Ruff said. "You start to escalate where you think a player can be at, if that player puts the work in."
But what's been most impressive about Hischier's improvement isn't just in the offensive numbers. He's been a key defensively player for the club, and someone the team relies on in pivotal moments of games.
"You can't always make it about the offensive numbers," Ruff said. "If all you want to concentrate on is offense, you're going to give something up on the other side of the puck. Can you be a guy that can be counted on when the game's on the line and you've got a one-goal lead? Can you be counted on to help preserve that game?"
Hischier has been that guy. The coaching staff has leaned on him late in games and in defensive situations. And it's his defensive play that allows him to help his team regardless of how his offense is producing.
"I felt pretty good this year. Trying to make a difference every game and help the team somehow," Hischier said. "I also know sometimes you just don't have the luck and they're not going in. Even then you have to find a way to help the team when you're not producing. That's the main thing for me. Right now, it's going well. But there will be a stretch where the puck's not going in. For everyone, players have to learn that. For me, I really want to have a strong B Game and work on that too."
"I don't think you can be excellent in every skill. But you can be better in every skill," Hischier continued. "Every player, including me, wants to get better every year. That's their goal."