Overview
Tonight, the New Jersey Devils look to get back on track after losing their first game in almost a month. The team they’re aiming to topple is the Buffalo Sabres, who are looking to dig their way out of a hole from an eight-game losing streak. Buffalo has already started with that, winning their last two in dominant fashion against Montreal and St. Louis.
The Devils hold a record of 16-4-0 and are in first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Sabres are 9-11-0 and sit second to last in the Atlantic Division.
Lines and Pairings
Devils –
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Sabres –
Forwards:
Skinner-Thompson-Tuch
Quinn-Cozens-Peterka
Hinostroza-Mittelstadt-Olofsson
Girgensons-Krebs-Jost
Defense:
Sameulsson-Dahlin
Power-Jokiharju
Bryson-Lyubushkin
Goalies:
Luukkonen
Anderson
Keys to the Game
Bouncing Back
For the first time in a month, the Devils will be playing after a loss. The dominance the Devils displayed not just on their winning streak, but in their losses this year as well, should be enough proof that this team is for real. However, the team hasn’t faced a situation similar to tonight yet, so it should be interesting to watch.
Tage Thompson
Speaking of being for real, Tage Thompson. The 25-year-old forward is currently tied for 11th in the league in points with 26 in 20 games played. That includes 13 goals, eight of which have been at even strength.
Another crazy numbed: Thompson has already had two four-plus point games this season, including a six-point night against Detroit.
This all comes after the Sabres were ridiculed by the hockey world for giving Thompson a large contract after just one year of production. Tage, who is the older brother of Devils’ prospect Tyce, is making all of those people look silly now.
Where To Watch
Tonight’s game at KeyBank Center is slated for a 8:00 P.M. ET puck drop. The game can be seen on MSG SportsNet.