Devils Penalty Kill Improves With Connor Brown
New Jersey's penalty kill allowed fewer slot passes and shots after forward Connor Brown returned from injury on October 20.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Hockey
The New Jersey Devils' penalty kill has allowed fewer slot passes and shots since forward Connor Brown returned to the lineup on October 20, 2026. Brown had played five games since returning as of an October 30 report, scoring a shorthanded goal in that span.
Why it matters
Brown's return came after a lower-body injury kept him out for the first couple of weeks of the 2026-27 season. The penalty-kill data suggests his presence has tightened the unit's defensive coverage in New Jersey.
Brown has two goals and one assist since returning, averaging 13:18 of ice time per game. Slot pass attempts dropped 20% and inner-slot shots on net fell 46% on the penalty kill, compared with the Devils' rates before his return.
The players
Connor Brown
Forward for the New Jersey Devils who returned from a lower-body injury and has contributed on the penalty kill.
Bryce Salvador
Former NHL defenseman who shared the Sportlogiq penalty kill data analyzing Brown's impact.
The details
Brown skates on the fourth line with Amadeus Lombardi and Cody Glass and takes penalty kill shifts. In the five games with Brown on ice, the Devils took six penalties and killed five of them, while Brown scored both goals in a loss to Colorado.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Connor Brown returns to the Devils lineup from injury.
October 30, 2026: Report notes Brown has played five games since returning.
Before the 2026-27 season: Devils trade Dawson Mercer to Winnipeg for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Season Trajectory
Penalty kill efficiency is a key factor in playoff positioning for teams in the Metropolitan Division. Improvements in slot coverage like the Devils have shown can shift a team's standing over a full season.
Fantasy managers tracking Connor Brown should note his role on the fourth line and penalty kill shifts, which affect his ice time and scoring chances. The Devils' improved penalty kill may also affect games involving New Jersey opponents in the short term.
The takeaway
Brown's return shows how a single depth forward can change a penalty kill's shot and pass profile. Readers following the Devils should watch whether these numbers hold across a longer sample.
Further reading
For more on the team, see Hockey coverage of New Jersey's penalty kill and lineup changes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Magic 98.3 FM.
