The New Jersey Devils (48-21-8) host the Pittsburgh Penguins (38-29-10) tonight. Last time out, the Devils lost 6-1 in Winnipeg on Sunday while the Penguins defeated the Flyers 4-2. This is the final meeting of the season between the Metropolitan Division rivals with NJ having won the previous three contests.
The Devils are currently second in the Metropolitan. Meanwhile, the Penguins are just a point ahead of the Florida Panthers for the final Wild Card spot with five games to play.
Match Overview
As mentioned above, the Devils are sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division, three points out of first having played one more game. New Jersey is also three points ahead of the Rangers, with the Hudson River Rivalry looming as a likely first round playoff matchup.
Jack Hughes eclipsed the 90-point plateau in Sunday’s loss. The 21-year-old is just the fifth Devil to ever reach that mark, joining Patrik Elias, Zach Parise, Kirk Muller, and Taylor Hall. He needs six points in the final five games to tie Elias’ franchise record of 96 points in the 2000-2001 season.
In net, Vitek Vanecek was pulled in Winnipeg after two periods, allowing four goals on 21 shots. Mackenzie Blackwood allowed two goals in relief. With Blackwood playing four of the six periods during the back-to-back, Vanecek seems more likely to start tonight, but stay tuned to our social channels for updates closer to puck drop.
For the season, Vanecek has a .908 save percentage and a 4.8 goals saved above expected (GSAx) while Blackwood has posted a .895 save percentage and -1.5 GSAx.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has alternated wins and losses over their past eight contests. The Penguins are clinging to the final playoff spot in the East with their 16-year playoff streak in jeopardy.
Trade deadline acquisition Mikael Granlund has just four points in 16 games since being acquired from Nashville. Meanwhile, Nick Bonino and Dimitry Kulikov, also acquired at the deadline, are currently on long-term injured reserve along with Marcus Petterson.
In net, Tristan Jarry is expected to start. He has a .909 save percentage with -4.83 GSAx this season. His backup, Casey DeSmith, owns a .905 save percentage and a 4.09 GSAx.
Projected Lines
New Jersey Devils
With NJ not practicing Monday, stay tuned to our social channels closer to puck drop for updates.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Forwards
Guentzel – Crosby – Rust
Zucker – Malkin – Rakell
Heinen – Poehling – Granlund
O’Connor – Carter – Archibald
Defensemen
Dumoulin – Letang
Joseph – Petry
Friedman – Ruhwedel
Goaltenders
Jarry
DeSmith
What to Watch For
Devils’ Penalty Kill
The Devils’ penalty kill has been terrific in all three wins over the Penguins this season. In the three wins, the Devils have killed 15 of Pittsburgh’s 16 man-advantages, scoring two shorthanded goals in the process, both from the captain, Nico Hischier.
For the season, Pittsburgh’s power play ranks 15th in the league at 21.4%. With the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, the Pens certainly have a dangerous power play, but the Devils have completely neutralized it this year.
Over the past five contests, the NJ penalty kill has only allowed two goals on 11 penalty kills, scoring one shorthanded goal via Erik Haula. With the dominance displayed against Pittsburgh all season, the Devils’ penalty kill should be expecting to continue its strong play.
Siegenthaler-Hamilton Pairing
In New Jersey’s blowout loss at Winnipeg on Sunday, the defense pairing of Jonas Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton had a particularly tough night. At five-on-five, the duo each posted a 36.00 Corsi-for percentage (CF%), the lowest among NJ skaters. Siegenthaler’s 26.45 expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) was the worst on the team while Hamilton’s 38.25 xGF% was the third-worst.
Siegenthaler and Hamilton also had the lowest share of high-danger chances among Devils skaters at five-on-five, getting out-chanced 3-0 and 3-1, respectively.
The Devils’ top pair has been solid as season, including posting an xGF% above 50.00 in a dominating win over Chicago on Saturday. Hamilton in particular has lit the lamp in all three wins over Pittsburgh, tallying five points in those games. Expect an improved performance for this duo tonight.
Severson-Bahl Pairing
While one defensive pairing struggled, another had a solid night in terms of play-driving metrics against Winnipeg. In the 6-1 lopsided loss, Damon Severson and Kevin Bahl both posted xGF% north of 80.00 at five-on-five. Those were the best among Devils’ defensemen in the loss.
Scoring chances were 15-5 in favor of New Jersey with that pairing on the ice with high-danger chances being 9-1 with Severson on the ice and 7-1 when Bahl was on the ice.
This continues a strong season for the pair who rank first and second among Devils’ defensemen in xGF% at five-on-five for the season. Severson in particular has played great lately. Since March 1, the 28-year-old leads all Devils’ defensemen with a 67.66% xGF%. Dougie Hamilton is second with a 61.35% xGF% in that span.
Where to Watch
MSGSN will have coverage of the Devils and Penguins. Puck drop from the Prudential Center is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.