Devils' Jesper Bratt delivers clear message amid playoff pressure without Jack Hughes vs Hurricanes

Jesper Bratt, the New Jersey Devils’ leading scorer, understands the weight of responsibility that now rests on his shoulders to generate offense during the pivotal Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 26-year-old forward embraces the challenge as the Devils prepare to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the opening round of the Eastern Conference. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is set for Sunday.

“I worked extremely hard every day for so many years to prove myself and to prove to other people that I should have been chosen higher in the draft,“ Bratt told NHL.com. “Maybe that gave me a little chip on my shoulder to work even harder. I’ve always liked being that underdog.”

He continued: “I feel like I’ve always thrived in situations where people don’t expect you to do certain things, but I just believe in myself and push through.” This mindset of relentless self-improvement has been a defining trait in the career of the talented Swedish winger.

Embracing the moment in Jack Hughes’ absence

With Jack Hughes out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury, Bratt recognizes the added pressure and opportunity that now lies ahead. “Jack’s an amazing player, and obviously we want him in the lineup—we make each other better,” Bratt said. “But with him out, it’s time for other guys to step up. This is the role I train for in the offseason. This is what I prepare for all season long—to be ready for moments like this.“

Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils is congratulated by teammates on the bench. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

A rising offensive leader for Devils

This season, Bratt led the Devils with an impressive 88 points (21 goals, 67 assists) in 81 games, setting a new franchise record (Devils/Kansas City Scouts/Colorado Rockies) for most assists in a single campaign.

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“He’s been incredibly important and valuable to our team in all aspects,” said Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe. “He’s similar to [captain Nico Hischier] in that he contributes significantly on the penalty kill. He’s crucial on the power play, and especially now with Jack [Hughes] out, he’s become even more of a focal point. That hasn’t slowed him down. The opposition keys in on him more now, but he’s handled it well.”

Learning from the past: 2023 loss to the Hurricanes

Bratt vividly recalls how Carolina’s physical, smothering style neutralized both him and the Devils during their five-game defeat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Second Round, where New Jersey was outscored 24–13. In that series, Bratt recorded only two assists and posted a -6 rating.

“After that loss, I went into the summer extremely committed to getting the work done,“ Bratt reflected. “It hasn’t been about one small change. It’s been about understanding how I can play more with the puck, how I win more puck battles. It’s not about running guys over, but knowing what I need to do to control more plays and keep the puck on my stick.”