The Winnipeg Jets gained a face-off in the offensive zone with 54 seconds left in regulation of a 1-1 game, putting the Devils in a tight spot as they aimed to at least get the game to overtime to secure one point in the standings.
Needing one more defensive stand to get there, Devils coach John Hynes rolled out his fourth line for the crucial shift. Kevin Rooney, Miles Wood and Wayne Simmonds took the ice, like they have in several other key spots over the course of the season.
The strategy worked, with the group staying on the ice for the final minute of regulation, helping the Devils get to overtime before eventually securing a 2-1 shootout victory on Tuesday at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg.
That spot was a familiar one for the unit, as Hynes has shown plenty of trust in the group in some pivotal defensive moments.
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Following Devils goals, Wood and Rooney are typically the first players over the boards as the Devils aim to maintain momentum. Hynes has no issue rolling that line out against any line from any opponent.
“Rooney’s good on face-offs. And they’re men, it’s a situation where you want to keep momentum or regain momentum shift after a goal for, shift after goal against,” Hynes said. “It’s something we’ve talked about as an important situation. And that’s a big role. Sometimes you’re down a goal, you put certain players on the ice. You want to be able to get momentum. You put that group of players on the ice, that’s a big role on the team and that’s why we have those guys have those guys playing in those situations.”
And Hynes’ trust in Rooney in particular has paid off this season. Rooney has logged 100:46 of 5-on-5 ice time this season, and opponents haven’t scored a goal on the Devils with him on the ice in that game state.
That stat is even more impressive given the line’s usage. Rooney’s shifts have started in the offensive zone just 7.69 percent of the time this season, so he’s constantly being deployed on the defensive end or in the neutral zone.
The key for that line in those situations is managing the puck and pushing play back to the other end of the ice.
“Our role as a line is just be hard on their defense and not do the stupid turnovers at the blue line and get pucks in, and wear their D down, more importantly," Wood said. "From there, chances will start to flow, and goals will start to come.”
The line hasn’t generated many actual goals, with Rooney still scoreless and Wood sitting at two scores this season. But Wood said the trio is playing the right way to get chances on the offensive end.
“We just have to stick to structure in the D-zone, and once we get the puck, it’s that next play," Wood said. "Having confidence that you’re going to make the next play. It’s not always just going to be a 3-on-2 down the zone. Sometimes the D is going to have tight gaps and you gotta get the puck in. But it’s just on structure and how you read the game. More importantly, it’s just playing together. Not trying to go on your own page, just playing together as a line.”
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Why Devils’ 4th line has gained trust of coach John Hynes in crucial spots - NJ.com
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