DETROIT -- John Hynes will occasionally approach his assistant coaches with a lineup suggestion, wanting to get their opinion on a potential change or move.
"What do you think about this?" Hynes will ask.
The Devils' bench boss will listen intently and value what his assistants offer, but he sometimes knows something they don't. His lineup suggestion isn't coming out of left field.
It's based off a recommendation from the team's analytical department.
The impact of the Devils' current level of analytics took shape over the second half of last season, and it aided Hynes through the stretch run and into the playoffs.