Match Overview
After a resounding 4-2 victory over the new kid on the block, the Seattle Kraken, the New Jersey Devils will face their toughest opponent yet: the Washington Capitals. This will be the Devils’ first true test of the season as the Kraken and Blackhawks weren’t the biggest threats, to put it nicely. A major theme of this season is that New Jersey has to take a step forward and compete with contending teams, a challenge they will face against Washington. Overall, this should be a game where the teams feel each other out and test each other’s mettle.
With the Capitals’ dominant win over the Colorado Avalanche, they hold a record of 2-0-1 and are in second place in the Metropolitan Division. The Devils have only played two games and hold a record of 2-0-0.
Projected Lineups
Devils’ Lines
Forwards
Zacha-Hischier-Bratt
Sharangovich-McLeod-Kuokkanen
Johnsson-Mercer-Tatar
Geertsen-Gauthier-Vesey
Defense
Graves-Hamilton
Siegenthaler-Subban
Severson-Jaros
* – no confirmation, but it appears Ty Smith may return to the lineup and slot next to Damon Severson.
Goalies
Bernier
Wedgewood
Capitals’ Lines
Forwards
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Mantha-Eller-Sprong
Sheary-McMichael-Oshie
Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway
Defense
Fehervary-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Van Riemsdyk-Schultz
Goalies
Samsonov
Vanecek
Who/What to Watch
Dawson Mercer
Boy, has Dawson Mercer been as advertised. Just as predicted, he has been a force to be reckoned with after breaking camp with Jersey, notching a goal and an assist in two games.
Further evidence of this success, however, is via his analytics. Though he has had a small sample size, there is no denying the impressiveness of these numbers: a 59.09 Corsi-for % (CF%), a 64.29 high-danger CF%, and a 63.12 expected goals-for % (xGF%). It’s only been a couple of games, but if those numbers don’t dip drastically, the Devils have something special on our hands.
Will Ty Smith Play?
After an impressive rookie campaign last year, Ty Smith has yet to debut this season due to a lower-body injury. Head coach Lindy Ruff has stated that he expects Smith to play Saturday at the latest, though this could mean he could play tomorrow. As of yesterday, Amanda Stein lists him as a scratch, but if he does play, he will probably replace Christian Jaros on the Severson line.
My Prediction
After two Devils wins early in the season, I’m inclined to be optimistic, so I’ll say that the Devils will beat the Capitals 4-3.
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSG+ at 7:00 pm