What is Wrong with the Devils?

After the New Jersey Devils got smacked around by the New York Islanders in a 9-0 loss on Tuesday night, January 6, on Long Island, it is apparent that the team has a few problems.

Yes, the team had a lot of shots on goal (44), and did not give up a lot of shots (24), but they still managed to get shelled by a team that is not known for scoring a lot of goals. The team showed no fight and when they gave up quality scoring chances, it ended up in the back of their net.

Heading into tonight's (Thursday, January 8) game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Devils are currently sitting outside of a playoff spot after being in one for the first two months of the season. They are currently sixth in the Metropolitan Division, 13th in the Eastern Conference, and 21st in the NHL with a record of 22-19-2 for 46 points.

There are a few reasons why the Devils have slipped. One problem that the Devils currently have has to do with their starting goaltender, Jacob Markstrom.

Simply put, he has been far too inconsistent for someone who is supposed to be the main man between the pipes, as well as for someone who just signed a two-year contract extension. As of this writing (Thursday, January 8), Markstrom, 35, is 10-10-0-1 with a 3.48 goals-against average and a .878 save percentage.

Markstrom was between the pipes for all nine Islanders' goals on Tuesday night. He stopped 15 of 24 shots for a .625 save percentage. Yes, the goals he allowed were on quality scoring chances, but he needs to be able to come up with a big save every now and then.

Speaking of giving up goals, the Devils need to find a way to stay out of the penalty box as their penalty killing has been another problem for them this year. The team is currently 22nd in the league on the penalty kill as they have killed off just 77.5 percent of the penalties they have taken this season.

The Devils are also struggling is because they are having trouble putting the puck in the net. They are currently 30th in the league in goals scored as they have scored 111 goals in 43 games, which means they are averaging just over two goals per game (2.58).

The highest goal-scorers on this hockey club are currently Timo Meier and Nico Hischier, who each have 12 goals this season. Jack Hughes (25 games played) and Dawson Mercer are right behind those players with 11 goals each, while the next closest players (Jesper Bratt and Connor Brown) both have nine goals.

This team has a lot of offensive talent, so they should be able to put the puck in the net with relative ease. That just has not happened this season with any kind of regularity despite the fact that they are fifth in the league in shots per game (30).

The Devils' head coach, Sheldon Keefe, needs to find a way to get his team to pick up their game in a hurry. Everything is extremely tight whether it is in their own division, conference, and the two wild card spots.

This team has the talent to get into the postseason dance come April. With that said, will the important areas of their game be able come through when they need it most?