The New Jersey Devils will look to extend their new-found two game win streak to three Thursday night. It’ll be another playoff-type game, as they welcome the Edmonton Oilers to town. The Devils won the first meeting, defeating the Oilers 3-0 in Edmonton.
Matchup Overview
Things were looking tough for the Devils. They were on a three game losing skid and were out scored 12-4 over those three games. Losing their star forward in Jack Hughes did not help either. A demoralizing loss to the Winnipeg Jets allowed other teams to close the gap in the playoff race, so it was time to right the ship.
The Devils have won their last two games and have out scored their opponents 8-4. The biggest key for them has been their finishing ability, which is something that’s been lacking. In this two game span, they’ve generated 3.62 expected goals and have scored six at five-on-five play. Getting contributions from players such as Erik Haula and Dawson Mercer have been enormous.
Their opponent, though, has been on quite the slide since coming back from the break. The Oilers have not played their sharpest hockey. Since the break, they are 3-6 and have been outscored 37-25.
The biggest key has been their goaltending, as they have the sixth-worst save percentage in this span. You can’t entirely out score your problems and that’s been evident. Calvin Pickard has been the better of the two goalies, but has only started two games. The Oilers are also coming off a tough loss to the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday night and are looking to bounce back.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
Meier-Hischier-Noesen
Haula-Glass-Bratt
Palat-Mercer-Tatar
Cotter-Lazar-Bastian
Defense
Hughes-Pesce
Dumoulin-Kovacevic
Dillon-Cholowski
Goalies
Markstrom
Allen
Edmonton Oilers
Forwards
Hopkins-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Arvidsson
Skinner-Janmark-Brown
Jones-Henrique-Perry
Defense
Kulak-Bouchard
Nurse-Walman
Stecher-Emberson
Goalies
Pickard
Skinner
What to Watch For
Devils Penalty Kill Versus The Oilers’ Power Play
There is no shortage of skill when it comes to the Oilers’ power play. When you have the two best players on the ice together, good things are bound to happen. Specifically, the Oilers have the fifth-best unit with a success rate of 26.6%. Even though they are in a rough patch record-wise since the break, the Oilers have scored the seventh-most power play goals over that span.
The Devils, overall, have been great on the penalty kill, having the fourth-best unit in the league. However, they’ll need to tighten things up defensively. Since returning from the break, the Devils are tied for second for the most goals allowed while shorthanded.
Draisaitl and McDavid could have a field day if the Devils let them. New Jersey must stay out of the box.
Timo Meier’s Continued Strong Play
Timo Meier has been a good player for the Devils since the break. Not only does he lead the team in goals at five-on-five, but he has the most goals for the Devils in general since returning from the break. It is not just the results, but it is the impacts he is making on the game when he’s on the ice.
Since the break, when he is on the ice, the Devils are out-attempting the opposition 151-132, which is good for a 53.21 Corsi-for percentage. Furthermore, the expected goals share is also in their favor 7.13-5.15 at five-on-five play.
The Oilers have been a strong defensive team this season, so Meier will look to continue his strong play in what will be a tough challenge.
Where to Watch
Thursday night’s puck drop at the Prudential Center is at 7:30 pm ET and is an ESPN+ exclusive broadcast.