Today, the New Jersey Devils (5-3-0) host the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-6-0). This is the first meeting of the year between the Metropolitan Division foes.
Match Overview
The Devils enter this one on a two-game win streak with victories over Detroit and Colorado. New Jersey has won five of its last six games and sit one point out of first place in the Metropolitan Division with 10 points.
Vitek Vanecek shined in the Devils’ 1-0 win over the Avalanche on Friday. The Czech goaltender picked up his seventh career shutout, saving 2.5 goals above expected. That was the highest GSAx mark by a New Jersey goaltender in 2022-2023.
With Lindy Ruff’s propensity to ride the hot hand in net, and Mackenzie Blackwood still day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Vanecek figures to get the start again today. For the year, Vanecek is 2-1-0 with a .889 save percentage and 1.26 goals allowed above expected.
In injury news, the Devils placed Ondrej Palat on injured reserve yesterday with a lower-body injury. The move was made retroactive to October 24. New Jersey called up Andreas Johnsson from Utica to take Palat’s roster spot. Meanwhile, Jonathan Bernier once again practiced with the team while Mackenzie Blackwood missed a second-straight practice.
On the other hand, Columbus sits in the basement of the Metropolitan Division and has lost two straight. In each of the last two losses, the Blue Jackets were forced to pull the starting goaltender in blowout defeats to the Coyotes and Bruins.
Elvis Merzlikins got the start Friday against Boston, but was pulled after two periods after allowing four goals on 29 shots. Per JFreshHockey, Merzlikins ranks last in the NHL with -7.2 goals allowed above expected this season.
Daniil Tarasov, a rookie who has not fared much better in net, replaced Merzlikins on Friday night. Tarasov owns a .893 save percentage and has allowed 2.13 goals above expected, per Natural Stat Trick. After replacing Merzlikins on Friday, Tarasov seems to have the inside track to start today.
Meanwhile, Columbus will be without defenseman Adam Boqvist for the foreseeable future. The former top-10 pick broke his foot last week and is expected to miss six weeks. Winger Justin Danforth is also on Injured Reserve while goaltender Joonas Korpisalo began a rehab assignment in the AHL yesterday.
Projected Lines
New Jersey Devils-
Forwards:
Tatar – Hischier – Zetterlund
Haula – Hughes – Bratt
Sharangovich – Mercer – Boqvist
Wood – McLeod – Bastian
Defensemen:
Siegenthaler – Hamilton
Graves – Marino
Smith – Severson
Goaltenders:
Vanecek
Blackwood
Columbus Blue Jackets-
Forwards:
Gaudreau – Roslovic – Laine
Chinakhov – Sillinger – Voracek
Nyquist – Jenner – Johnson
Foudy – Kuraly – Robinson
Defensemen:
Werenski – Peeke
Gavrikov – Jiricek
Bayreuther – Gudbranson
Goaltenders:
Tarasov
Merzlikins
What to Watch For
Johnny Gaudreau
Throughout the start of the offseason in 2022, Johnny Gaudreau was at the center of attention for Devils’ fans. The South Jersey native was an unrestricted free agent and had openly expressed a desire to play closer to home, and New Jersey was one of the favorites to land “Johnny Hockey.” It appeared that the superstar winger was set to become a Devil, but at the last minute, inked a seven-year, $9,750,000 per season deal with the Blue Jackets.
Now, in late-October, Gaudreau takes on the Devils for the first time since his free agency saga. Despite early struggles as a team, Gaudreau has been a bright spot for Columbus. The 29-year-old winger leads the Blue Jackets with eight points. His 50.67 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) at five-on-five is eighth on the team and third-highest among players with five or more games played.
In his career, Gaudreau has tormented New Jersey with 22 points in 13 games. So, the Devils will have their work cut out for them to keep him quiet.
Fabian Zetterlund
Fabian Zetterlund has played just three games this season, but his early play has been very impressive. The 23-year-old Swedish forward has put up tremendous five-on-five possession numbers and has played well on Nico Hischier’s wing. Per Natural Stat Trick, Zetterlund ranks second on the team with a 68.57 CF% at five-on-five. He also has an expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) of 66.59% at five-on-five.
Zetterlund has just one point in his three games this year, but has been creating chances. With Ondrej Palat on injured reserve, the 2017 third-round pick should get plenty of game time moving forward and has a chance to establish himself as an NHL regular.
Devils’ Penalty Kill
On Friday, the Devils’ fourth-ranked penalty kill was stellar, holding the league’s best power play off the board on six opportunities. On paper, the task is a bit easier today. Columbus has the league’s-worst power play and has yet to score on 23 opportunities.
Of course, discipline will still be important. The Devils cannot afford to hand Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine extra chances with the man-advantage. However, if New Jersey does, they have the edge on special teams and have a chance to gain momentum through their penalty kill.
Where to Watch
Today’s game will be televised on MSG Sportsnet with puck drop set for 2:00 p.m. ET at the Prudential Center.