The New Jersey Devils' message to opposing teams during their 11-game win streak is coming through loud and clear.

"We play hard, we play fast, and we're not a joke this year," forward Miles Wood told reporters Friday after practice. "We're a serious team and that's the best part about it because I've been on the teams where we haven't had success and I think teams kind of took us for granted at times. You can't say that this year."

The Devils have ranked among the bottom five teams in the league in three of the past four seasons. They also allowed the third most goals (986) from 2018-19 to 2021-22.

The young squad has flipped the script this season, though. The Devils are currently sporting a plus-22 goal differential – tied for second-best with the Vegas Golden Knights – while leading all teams in several key metrics at five-on-five, including goals for (64.3%), expected goals for (63.1%), and scoring chances for (62.2%), according to Natural Stat Trick.

New Jersey has missed the playoffs in four consecutive campaigns but is on course to snap the unfortunate streak this year.