Dougie Hamilton Has Become The Latest New Jersey Devils’ Lightning Rod

The fumbled puck brought a round of boos from the fans, more so than a typical error at the blue line from a defenseman. The fans weren't just venting on the play; they were venting at the player, the contract, the tenure he's put together with the Devils thus far.

Hamilton responded with a goal in the second period, the Devils' first in the game, that woke up the building. "He fires away, gets a second look, fires again. It's a great shot," head coach Sheldon Keefe stated after the game, acknowledging the accuracy but, more importantly, the effort to keep firing away and giving the Devils a chance. His goal got the offense going and kickstarted the 3-2 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 33-year-old defenseman has become a lightning rod for the Devils, certainly for the fans in recent years. Hamilton is a favorite when the team is playing well and a scapegoat when they struggle, whether he deserves the criticism or not. It's the life of a defenseman, especially an offensive-minded defenseman, yet he's taken a lot of heat over the years because of who he is and what he brings to the lineup.