Overview
After an exhilarating 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the season-opener last night, the New Jersey Devils (1-0-0) will take on the Arizona Coyotes (0-0-0) at the Prudential Center.
Last night, fans got everything they hoped for: Jack Hughes scored twice, Vitek Vanecek played fantastic, and the offense was buzzing (at least after the first period). New Jersey will look to build on that electricity tonight against Arizona.
This is the Coyotes first game of the season. One should expect goaltender Karel Vejmelka in between the pipes. He posted a .899 save percentage but a starling 6.98 goals saved above expected, showing how poor the team in front of him was.
The Coyotes made some key additions this offseason, bringing in the likes of Jason Zucker, Alexander Kerfoot, Matt Dumba, and Sean Durzi. Further, rookies Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther should also be in the mix. Not to mention, Clayton Keller (86 points) and Nick Schmaltz (58 points) both return.
Lines and Pairings
Devils –
Forwards
Toffoli-Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Hischier-Mercer
Palat-Haula-Holtz
Nosek-McLeod-Bastian
Defense
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Bahl-Marino
Hughes-Smith
Goalies
Schmid
Vanecek
Coyotes –
Forwards
Keller-Hayton-Schmaltz
Zucker-Cooley-Kerfoot
Maccelli-Bjustad-Crouse
Carcone-McBain-O’Brien
Defense
Moser-Dumba
Valimaki-Soderstrom
Durzi-Brown
Goalies
Vejmelka
Ingram
Keys to the Game
Feed Jack Hughes
Last night, Jack Hughes played like, well, Jack Hughes. He was a freak of nature on the ice, slicing through the Wings’ defense at will. He scored two highlight-reel goals.
The first was the sharpest of sharp-angle shots, a bank shot off the goalie’s helmet from below the goal line. The second was a great solo effort to cut to the high slot and snipe it home.
Although he scored twice, Hughes also took two minor penalties, the first time in his career he’s gotten multiple calls in one game. The second minor was a blatant slash after being shoved to the ice by Jake Walman. While it was a bad play, Hughes will need to avoid these penalties going forward, especially when they capitalize for a goal.
Schmid Likely Gets the Nod
Akira Schmid will likely tend the twine in this second game of a season-opening, back-to-back stretch. Vanecek was fantastic last night, posting a .914 save percentage (SV%) while making some clutch saves against a threatening Red Wings’ attack.
Schmid will hope to replicate that performance in his first start of the season. He was very solid in the preseason, only allowing more than two goals in one game. His rebound control also looked improved from last season.
He comes into this season as Vitek Vanecek’s backup, and he will look to maintain that job as he transitions into a full-time NHLer. Look for Schmid to have a big night against Arizona.
Where to Watch
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSG at 7:00 pm ET.