NHL: New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils

Jan 9, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils coach Scott Stevens (L) and Adam Oates (R) confer with general manager Lou Lamoriello (C) against the New York Islanders during the third period at the Prudential Center. The Islanders defeated the Devils 3-2 in overtime. (Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports)

SAN JOSE, Calif. — It may be more difficult than ever for Devils management to decide on the team's next head coach.

There is no denying that Scott Stevens has turned the Devils' defense around and worked wonders with Adam Larsson. But the impact of co-coach Adam Oates stood out Monday night in the Devils' impressive 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center.

Critics have claimed at various points this season that the Devils do not have a legitimate No. 1 center. Now, perhaps, they have three or four top center icemen.

Consider what the four centers did in San Jose:

Travis Zajac scored a goal and won 14 of 18 faceoffs (78 percent).

Scott Gomez had two assists.

Mike Cammalleri scored his team-leading 15th goal.

Jacob Josefson had a shorthanded goal and an assist while winning eight of 10 face-offs.

"He's been good," Cammalleri said of Oates. "I thought he and Scotty (Stevens) did a great job after the Anaheim game assessing what we had to work on. I'm not going to share what it was, but I'll tell you that they were very specific in what they thought we needed to work on for tonight's game and I thought it really helped.

"I think you give (Oates) credit for sure, but I think the biggest factor is how our D played tonight."

Cammalleri isn't even a center by trade. But he's done well there.

"For me, I don't know if in the long run that's still the spot for me or not. That's where they need me right now and where they're asking me to play. I'll do my best," Cammalleri said.

Gomez, on the other hand, has been eager to pick Oates' brain.

"I think we'd all say the same thing about this guy. It's a calmness about him. And defensively, those two working together is unbelievable," Gomez said of the two co-coaches.

What has Oates been able to do?

"From the offensive side, just the little tricks," Gomez said. "My game has always been passing, so I can relate to him. I always thought I was doing something good. Now Adam Oates is telling me little things that have improved my game, like when to use your backhand. He points out how I'd lose a second by doing it another way."

Oates has also helped Adam Henrique regain his form. Henrique had two assists to pass Jaromir Jagr as the Devils' leading scorer. Henrique has 26 points in 40 games. Jagr has 25 points in 43 games.

"Adam's got his game back to where it was," GM/coach Lou Lamoriello said of Henrique. "Adam Oates has done a tremendous job with Zajac and Henrique to get them back. And Scotty, the job he's done with the defense and Adam Larsson, and the way they've put confidence in them. They've shown confidence in them and the players have responded."

Your browser does not support iframes.

How much credit should Oates get for Henrique's form?

"A hundred percent," Henrique said. "He's a hockey guy. I think he sees the game differently than a lot of people. Little things that he understands and he teaches us. I think he's given confidence to a lot of guys from top to bottom."

Would he be surprised if Oates were named head coach?

"No, I wouldn't be shocked," Henrique said. "He's familiar with a lot of guys and he communicates with a lot of guys well. It's early for that. Right now I think they have a good setup."

One of these two co-coaches deserves the head coaching position, but the decision as to which one is looking harder and harder to make.

"Unfortunately we're going into a break right now," Lamoriello said after the win. "I wish we weren't."

Rich Chere may be reached at rchere@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ledger_NJDevils. Find NJ.com on Facebook.