However, the work doesn't stop there. After a promising start to the season, injuries and COVID hit the Devils and have the youngest team in the NHL learning dozens of lessons. Although the 17-28-5 record isn't what the Devils expected, finishing out the season strong is critical for the players and franchise's long-term growth.
"(We need to) try to mature as much as we can as a winning culture and a winning team," Bratt said. "It's an important stretch for us, even if all the points and the standings and all that stuff is one thing, but also for us to try to set the tone here as an organization, as a team, to practice at the highest level every day and to really grow every game. To become a more successful, winning team, I think that's the most important to hold each other accountable, and to push each other to be even better. Really going into this last stretch of this season with the best mentality we can."
Center Jack Hughes emphasized the importance on winning following Sunday's practice.
"We need some results on the ice, we don't want to keep losing like we've been losing. We want to win some games and that's what it's all about," Hughes said. "Whether you're in the playoff hunt or not, we gotta keep moving forward and try to keep winning games."
At times this season, the Devils outplayed the other team however didn't walk away with a victory. Although it can be a demoralizing feeling, Bratt says this can also be fuel to push this team to be better.
"It sucks when the results doesn't add up on the scoreboard as you feel like you've been playing, but I think that also fuels you even more to prove even more," Bratt said. "We had a couple games like that this season when we played some really good games and the result really hasn't come our way and I think that's fueling our motivation to be even better and win in both situations."
