Overview
After blowing a two-goal lead in their overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes yesterday, the New Jersey Devils are set to take on the Detroit Red Wings today. The Devils have had a frustrating couple of games since upsetting the Vegas Golden Knights last Monday. The team lost 5-2 to the Buffalo Sabres and fell to the aforementioned Hurricanes. With no playoff hopes late in the season, New Jersey is playing solely for pride. So, it will be interesting to see how they work against the lowly Red Wings.
The Devils currently hold a record of 27-43-8 and sit in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division. The Red Wings own a record of 30-39-10 and are in sixth place in the Atlantic Division.
Projected Lines and Pairings
Devils’ Lines
Check our social media pages closer to puck drop for more information.
Red Wings’ Lines
Forwards
Bertuzzi-Veleno-Raymond
Vrana-Suter-Gagner
Erne-Rasmussen-Sundqvist
Barber-Stephens-Hirose
Defense
Dekeyser-Seider
Staal-Hronek
Walman-Lindstrom
Goalies
Greiss
Nedelkovic
Keys to the Game
Okhotiuk Makes an Impact
After scoring a paltry three goals and 12 points in 63 AHL games this season, Devils’ prospect Nikita Okhotiuk has caught fire since being called up to the NHL for the game against the Sabres. So far, he has looked good, scoring a goal and an assist in his first two games. He’s not exactly a highly-touted prospect, but look for Okhotyuk to make an impact today.
Possible Blackwood Return
It’s uncertain as of now, but there is a possibility that MacKenzie Blackwood could return tomorrow. Blackwood has been out since late January with a heel injury, but it seems he’s nearing a return. Blackwood has had a disappointing 2021-2022 season, posting an .894 save percentage (SV%) over 23 games.
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSG+ 2 at 1:00 PM EDT.