5 reasons why New Jersey Devils will win Stanley Cup

3. The Devils have a great checking line

Travis Zajac has been a source of frustration in Newark over the past few years, seemingly overpaid for being a good, but not great, player. Due to underwhelming talent around him, the 32-year-old veteran was pressed into a top-six role that demanded more scoring than he could produce.

This year, Zajac has found his niche on the Devils once again, slotting in as a terrific third-line center. The Winnipeg native is flanked by a pair of Texans in Stefan Noesen and Blake Coleman, two rookies who have become elite defensive wingers. The duo helps guide the way on the eighth-ranked penalty kill, helping New Jersey lead the league with 12 shorthanded goals.

The trio has become Hynes’ go-to line against the opponent’s best group, giving New Jersey’s top line of Hall, Hischier and Palmieri more freedom. The Devils have also gotten some unexpected offense from the line, with  Noesen and Coleman producing 52 points between them, including 13 goals each. Zajac, who began the year on Injured Reserve as he recovered from a torn pectoral, notched 26 points in 63 games.

Against Tampa Bay, this line could well be the difference.