Win It for Johnny: Previewing New Jersey Devils vs Winnipeg Jets

In this episode of Locked On Devils, Zach Berman records late at night to preview an especially meaningful game for New Jersey Devils fans. The Devils are set to honor John MacLean, inducting him into their Ring of Honor during a home game against the Winnipeg Jets. Zach Berman reflects on MacLean’s legacy, describing the importance of his franchise-defining goal that sent the Devils to their first playoffs, and recounts John MacLean's lasting impact as both a player and coach, noting this induction is long overdue. Zach Berman shares personal insights on the generational divide in Devils fandom, mentioning how older fans see Lou Lamoriello as a savior who brought the franchise’s early success, while younger fans remember him for questionable late-career decisions. Despite these differences, Zach Berman jokes he’d take Lou back over the Devils’ current general manager, Tom Fitzgerald, whom he critiques sharply for being inactive in the trade market. As the episode shifts to a preview of the game itself, Zach Berman labels the matchup with Winnipeg a “must-win” for the Devils, who are trailing in the playoff race. He breaks down Winnipeg’s roster, pointing out their top-heavy lineup and recent struggles. He notes the Devils’ ongoing issues with five-on-five scoring and the underperformance of key players like Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier, urging that significant improvement is needed immediately with the playoff window closing. Finally, Zach Berman calls for resilience from the Devils, expressing hope that the ceremony honoring MacLean can inspire the team to turn things around. He closes with an earnest message to the players: the season’s stakes are high, time is running out, and failing to perform—especially with such a prominent franchise figure in attendance—will only justify fans' frustration. He also reiterates his call for change in management if things don’t improve, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for post-game reactions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.