NEWARK – It was the kind of test that, at this time of year, proves valuable for when the games really start to matter.

It was also one that the New Jersey Devils passed.

For the first time since 1993, the Devils have won eight of their first nine games of the season after Jack Hughes’ overtime game-winner gave his team a 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche in a Sunday afternoon matinee at Prudential Center.

New Jersey advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Final during that 1993-94 season, falling only to the eventual champion New York Rangers in Game 7.

This year? It’s early. But things are tracking in a similar direction.

Statistically, the Devils are the league’s top team, but they’ve also passed the eye test as well, even in facing adversity in having climbed to the top o

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