The New Jersey Devils (23-21-2) come back home on Wednesday to take on the Seattle Kraken (21-15-8), looking to build off of an impressive win in Minnesota Monday night.
Game Overview
While one game won’t change the entire season, the win Monday night is certainly something they can build off of. The 5-2 win over the Wild in their home barn was debatably the Devils most impressive win all season. Dawson Mercer, Dougie Hamilton, and Ondrej Palat, who have all been struggling recently, led the way for New Jersey each with two points. Hamilton’s performance was maybe the most impressive coming off being a healthy scratch on Sunday and being the hottest name on the trade block. All the momentum they built on Monday though will mean nothing if they can’t pick up two points Wednesday night.
To grab those two points, New Jersey will have to face one of the hottest teams in the NHL. After beating the Rangers Monday night the Kraken improved to 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and sit third in the Pacific Division. How the Kraken have been winning recently has been a little confusing, however. The Kraken sit 25th in goals per game, with just 2.77, and last in penalty kill at 71.4%. However, the Kraken have found ways to win as of late, something the Devils haven’t done.
The Devils will have some decisions to make on the back end of the lineup. Head coach Sheldon Keefe said to the media that Simon Nemec will be back in the lineup however it will certainly be hard to take out Dougie Hamilton after his performance on Monday. It is very possible that Keefe decides to put out 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Kraken.
Lineups
Devils
Check back in during warmups for lines
Kraken
Forwards
Kakko-Beniers-Eberle
Schwartz-Gaudreau-Tolvanen
Catton-Wright-Mccann
Winterton-Meyers-Melanson
Defense
Dunn-Larsson
Evans-Oleksiak
Lindgren-Fleury
Goalies
Grubauer
Daccord
Keys to the game
Cryptid Cup Dominance
Wednesday night’s contest between the Devils and the Kraken will mark the ninth time the teams will meet head to head. While the Kraken are still a relatively new franchise the previous eight games between the two have been owned by the Devils.
New Jersey sits 6-0-2 against Seattle since their installment in 2021 and has won their previous five meetings. New Jersey also has a perfect 4-0-0 record against the Kraken at home including a comeback win last season at Prudential Center. New Jersey will need more of their “Cryptid Cup” Devil magic to pick up a huge two points.
The Return of Grubaur
If you had to pick one person to credit their recent success to it would be veteran goaltender Phillip Grubaur. The 34-year-old is currently in the midst of his best season in recent memory and by far his best since joining the Kraken in 2021. Grubaur’s .924 save percentage ranks him tied for first in the NHL and his 10.00 goals saved above expected ranks him eighth. While it is uncertain if Grubauer will get the start against New Jersey, the Devils will certainly have a hard time beating him if he does start.
Where to Watch
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSGSN at 7:00 pm ET.