Jerome Miron/Imagn Images
The New Jersey Devils (7-4) enjoyed some home cooking and officially hit the road for a three-game trip. First stop on the docket is the Dallas Stars (7-3-1) and it’s the first of a back-to-back set for the Devils.
Matchup Overview
The Devils are coming into this trip with a good bit of momentum. After a tough loss to the Washington Capitals, they returned home to take three games in a row and against all Western Conference teams. In the three games, they outscored their opponents 11-5 overall.
The Devils continue to be one of the best offensive generation machines at five-on-five. In each of the three games, the Devils finished with an expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) above 50.00. Twice, they were able to have an xGF% above 60.00.
As for the notable Devils thus far, Arseny Gritsyuk has found new life on the top line and has nine points in the last eight games and also riding a five-game goal scoring streak. Luke Evangelista had a strong homestand once we was back in the lineup, notching four points over the three games. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt continue to lead the team in points up until this point, but the biggest element is getting Timo Meier on the scoresheet. His impacts have been notable, but the production hasn’t been able to match that type of output.
The Stars are also riding a big win streak, as they’ve won five games in a row. Three of these games have been decided by one goal. Defense and goaltending have been the bread and butter to their success.
The Stars as a club are 23rd in goals for (31), but have the fewest goals against (19). A lot of that is due to the play of Jake Oettinger, who is making an early case for the Vezina Trophy. In nine starts this season, he is rocking a 1.43 goals against average, .930 save percentage, and he leads the league in goals saved above expected with 9.4. Next closest? Linus Ullmark at 8.4. He’s been that stellar and also has three shutouts to begin the season.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
Gritsyuk-Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Hischier-Evangelista
Mantha-Rodrigues-Boqvist
Lombardi-Glass-Brown
Defense
Hughes-Pesce
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Chisholm-Kovacevic
Goalies
Allen
Hellebuyck
Dallas Stars
Forwards
Kiviranta-Johnston-Rantanen
Robertson-Hintz-Seguin
Hryckowian-Hyry-Benn
Hryckowian-Blackwell-Seminoff
Defense
Harley-Heiskanen
Bichsel-Lundkvist
Capobianco-Myers
Goalies
Oettinger
Desmith
What to Watch For
Neutralizing Mikko Rantanen
He’s called the moose for a reason. Mikko Rantanen has been the team’s best skater. Against the Bruins, he potted a hat trick to help the team win the game. Also, he has eight points over the last five games, four of them being goals.
Rantanen leads the team in goals (six) and points (14). He owns a CF% of 55 and has the sixth-best xGF% on the entire team (57.1%).
Rantanen is a weapon. Even with the Devils controlling play a large chunk of the time, being aware of his presence is key. He can take a game over at any moment.
Elite Offense Against An Elite Defense
This will be a game to watch for in terms of gameplay. One of the best offenses in the league against a stingy defense.
The Devils have become an offensive generation machine this season. To this point, in the small 11 game sample size, the Devils have the best CF% with 59.83 and xGF% with 64.09. Their 31.85 xGF is the third-most this season, trailing only the Hurricanes and Mammoth. The biggest problem? Finishing their chances. The Devils to this point have the worst goals scored above expected, putting emphasis on their lack of finishing. It won’t be any easier against the Stars.
Oettinger aside, the Stars defend very well. They do a great job of keeping teams to the perimeter and not allowing many chances in the high danger areas of the ice. They have given up the sixth-fewest shot attempts, fewest shots on goal, and third-fewest xGA at five-on-five play. It’s a stingy group, and that should make for a very fun matchup between both clubs.
How to Watch
Tuesday’s puck drop is at 8:00 pm ET and can be found on MSG.