After a strong 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals (10-7-0, 4th Metropolitan) on Thursday, the New Jersey Devils (14-6-0, 2nd Metropolitan) will travel to the nation’s capital for the second game of this home-and-home with the Capitals.
Overview
Thursday’s win wasn’t as easy as the score made it look for New Jersey, who had to overcome relentless pressure from Washington. It was an evenly-played game all around, a fitting battle between two teams fighting near the top of the Metropolitan Division.
The Devils continued their hot streak with the win on Thursday. They’ve won six of their last seven games, and haven’t looked like they’ve played over their own heads in any of them. That’s not to say they haven’t faced adversity.
The somewhat self-inflicted drama of not starting Connor Hellebuyck in the loss to the Jets on Tuesday and the press statement that came with it certainly rocked the boat. That, combined with a slew of injuries to key Devils, could have sent the team into a spiral. They put those fears to rest Thursday night, however, as the team was clearly unaffected by the adversity, and the three players New Jersey recalled to fill the gaps all scored. The Devils defended their home ice on Thursday, and will look to deal a knockout blow by taking a win on Washington’s tonight.
The Capitals are in the thick of the fight in the Eastern Conference, but haven’t been able to separate themselves from the middle of the pack so far this season. A 6-4-0 record over their last 10 games is respectable, but not what the Capitals need if they want to compete with teams like the Hurricanes, who are starting to run away with the Metropolitan Division.
While Washington’s offense looks solid, even without Alex Ovechkin leading it, they need to be better at goal prevention. Their goals for and goals against per game are both 3.41, and rank ninth and 22nd in the league, respectively. With such an even line, goaltending has to be the difference, which it wasn’t Thursday night and hasn’t been this season. The Capitals will look to correct this in the second game of this home-and-home.
Lines and Pairings
Devils-
Forwards
Gritsyuk-Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Hischier-Evangelista
Noesen-Rodrigues-Brown
Boqvist-Glass-Hameenaho
Defense
Siegenthaler-Hughes
Chisholm-Hamilton
Dillon-Silaev
Goalies
Hellebuyck
Allen
Capitals-
Forwards
A. Protas-Dubois-Tuch
Kyrou-Strome-Leonard
Jenner-Sourdif-Wilson
Ovechkin-I. Protas-Beauvillier
Defense
Chychrun-Roy
Fehervary-Liljegren
Hutson-St. Ivany
Goalies
Thompson
Lindgren
What to Watch For
Thompson-Hellebuyck Round Two
It was a battle of two of the top goaltenders in the NHL on Thursday, and they’ll face off again Saturday most likely. Hellebuyck got the best of Thompson on Thursday, stopping 26 of 28 shots and earning 0.56 goals saved above expected (GSAx) to keep him undefeated as a Devil. Thompson, on the other hand, stopped just 24 of 28 shots for an .857 SV%.
Thompson has quietly been one of the best goalies in the NHL throughout his career, but has gotten off to a slow start this year. His .885 SV% leaves a lot to be desired, but his 1.23 GSAx shows that he has been somewhat let down by his defense. Still, Hellebuyck being the better goalie despite a strong Washington offense proved to be the difference on Thursday in an evenly-played game. Thompson will need to find another gear if he is to be that difference-maker tonight.
Devils’ Injuries
The Devils will remain without Anthony Mantha and Johnathan Kovacevic Saturday. Mantha was placed on long-term injured reserve, and the Devils will miss him for an extended period. Kovacevic, who suffered an ankle injury in the loss to the Jets, has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 10. Meanwhile, it is unclear whether Brett Pesce (illness) will suit up. The Devils recalled Anton Silaev from Utica (AHL) to fill Vladislav Kolyachonok’s spot in the lineup.
While the three injured Devils have been key to their success this season, one of New Jersey’s biggest strengths is its depth. All three of the replacements scored on Thursday. The Devils will need their depth to keep performing to weather this injury storm.
Where to Watch
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSG and ESPN+ at 7:00 pm ET.