Tonight, the New Jersey Devils (45-19-8) host the Ottawa Senators (35-32-5). This is the second half of a back-to-back for the Devils who fell 5-4 in Buffalo on Friday. Ottawa last played on Thursday, blowing out Tampa Bay 7-2. This is the third and final meeting of the year between the teams with the Devils winning each of the previous two games.
As was the case last night, the Devils can clinch a playoff berth with a victory. Ottawa is in desperate need of wins, sitting five points out of the second wild card.
Match Overview
In Buffalo, the Devils trailed throughout the contest, coming up one goal short of a three-goal third period comeback. It was a particularly tough night for Akira Schmid. The Swiss netminder allowed three goals on seven shots, good for a -2.57 GSAx. He was pulled midway through the first for Vitek Vanecek who made 17 saves on 19 shots, allowing 0.30 goals above expected.
Entering the weekend, the plan was clearly to give Vanecek the second game of the back-to-back against Ottawa. We’ll see if that changes after Vanecek played 50 minutes in relief in Buffalo, though.
Injuries-wise, Curtis Lazar remains out with a lower-body injury with no timetable for a return. Nathan Bastian also missed Thursday’s practice and did not travel to Buffalo, so don’t expect to see him against Ottawa. Miles Wood traveled with the team, but was scratched, so he is a possibility to draw back in.
As for Ottawa, Tim Stützle is having a tremendous third season in the NHL. The 21-year-old has a team-leading 35 goals and 44 assists for 79 points in 68 games. Veteran Claude Giroux and captain Brady Tkachuk have also eclipsed the 70-point plateau for Ottawa.
Josh Norris is currently on injured reserve while trade deadline acquisition Jakob Chychrun is doubtful for tonight’s contest, per head coach DJ Smith. 2020 second-round pick Tyler Kleven just signed his entry-level contract after The University of North Dakota missed this year’s NCAA Tournament this week. The 21-year-old defenseman should make his debut soon, but skated as an extra at practice Friday.
In net, Cam Talbot has been the main starter in Ottawa, but has not played since March 4 with a lower-body injury. Mads Sogaard has played in eight of ten games since Talbot went down. He is expected to start tonight. For the season, the Danish netminder has a .890 save percentage and a -4.98 GSAx.
Dylan Ferguson got the start against Pittsburgh on March 20 in just his second NHL game, and first since 2017-2018 with Vegas. He stopped 48 of 49 shots in the 2-1 win, turning away 3.14 goals above expected. He figures to be the backup tonight.
Projected Lines
New Jersey Devils
After the Devils shook up their lines in Buffalo, stay tuned to our social channels for updated lines before puck drop.
Ottawa Senators
Forwards
Tkachuk – Stützle – Giroux
DeBrincat – Pinto – Batherson
Brassard – Gambrell – Gauthier
Brown – Kastelic – Watson
Defensemen
Chabot – Zub
Sanderson – Hamonic
Brannstrom – Holden
Goaltenders
Sogaard
Ferguson
What To Watch For
Keep Jack Hughes Hot
Entering the night, Jack Hughes had scored just two goals in 17 games since returning from injury. Prior to the injury, Hughes had scored 28 in a 30 game stretch. Early on Friday in Buffalo, it looked like it was going to be another tough night for Hughes. Through two periods, he was theDevils’ worst skater in terms of both Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) at five-on-five.
However, Hughes really turned it on late in the second. He hit a post on the power play in the middle frame before having a nifty backhand goal overturned for offsides. In the third, Hughes continued where he left off, scoring twice as a New Jersey comeback fell just short.
Despite finishing with a 44.83 CF% and a 45.93 xGF% (the third-worst mark on the team) at five-on-five, Hughes found his game late. A reshuffling of the forward lines found Hughes playing with Jesper Bratt and Ondrej Palat. In 5:30 of five-on-five ice time, the trio had a 83.33 CF% and a 85.99 xGF%.
If that performance can mark the beginning of a new hot streak for Hughes, the Devils will be in much better shape with the playoffs looming.
Tomas Tatar
While Jack Hughes took some time to find his game in Buffalo, one Devil who dominated all night was Tomas Tatar. The Slovakian winger led the team with a 87.50 CF% and a 83.57 xGF%. Scoring chances were 9-2 Devils with Tatar on the ice and high-danger chances were 3-0 in favor of New Jersey.
Equally impressive is that Tatar dominated with two different groups of linemates. With Jesper Boqvist and Ondrej Palat early, the trio had a staggering 100 CF% and xGF%. Then, when reunited with Dawson Mercer and Nico Hischier, that line posted a 77.78 CF% and a 63.28 xGF%.
All season, Tatar has been an elite play-driver at five-on-five. Among Devils’ regulars, Tatar leads the team with a 63.83 xGF% and is second to only Jesper Bratt with a 57.80 CF%.
Despite this dominance, though, Tatar has just one point in his last seven games. However, even with this dry spell, Tatar is producing at a 0.55 points-per-game rate. He is due for some positive regression, and don’t be surprised if that happens sooner than later.
Special Teams
Special teams were basically a wash in Buffalo, but in a one-goal loss, could have swung the contest in New Jersey’s favor. The Devils’ power play looked better, creating some good looks early before Hughes scored in the third period, snapping a 1-for-18 drought. The penalty kill was 3-for-4 against a 24.6%, top-five Buffalo power play.
However, it may be difficult to win the special teams battle against Ottawa. The Senators have the seventh-ranked power play (24.2%) and the eighth-ranked penalty kill (82.3%). For their part, the Devils have the 17th-ranked power play (21.0%) and the eighth-ranked penalty kill (82.1%).
Jack Hughes getting hot should be a boost for the top Devils’ power play unit. They could also use Dougie Hamilton’s point shot regaining its momentum from earlier this season. Hamilton has not scored since March 1 in Colorado, 12 games ago.
Where To Watch
Puck drop between the Devils and Senators is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. MSGSN will have coverage of the game.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.