Looking to break a three-game losing streak, the New Jersey Devils (13-7-1, 2nd Metropolitan) will face the Detroit Red Wings (13-8-1, 1st Atlantic) at the Prudential Center tonight.
Overview
The Devils are coming off one of their worst losses of the season so far, a brutal 6-3 decision to the Flyers on Saturday. It was their third defeat in a row after losing to Tampa Bay and Florida.
The Devils have had some rotten luck in this stretch, but have also been outplayed much of the time. Both these factors played out against Philadelphia. The Devils dug themselves into an early hole by allowing four goals in the first period – including three in under a minute – but outplayed the Flyers at five-on-five the rest of the game. Everything that can go wrong is going wrong for the Devils, and they’re looking to break out of that funk Monday tonight.
The Red Wings are coming off a 4-3 overtime win against the Blue Jackets on Saturday. They’ve won three of their last four games and sit atop the Atlantic Division. Alex DeBrincat played the overtime hero on Saturday with the game-winning goal. He’s having an excellent year for himself with 10 goals and 24 points through 22 games. The Red Wings will look to utilize their potent top-six to overpower New Jersey tonight.
Lines and Pairings
Devils-
Forwards
Meier-Hischier-Bratt
Gritsyuk-Mercer-Brown
Palat-Lammikko-Dadonov
Cotter-Glendening-Noesen
Defense
Siegenthaler-Nemec
Dillion-Hughes
Cholowski-Hamilton
Goalies
Markstrom
Allen
Red Wings-
Forwards
Finnie-Larkin-Raymond
DeBrincat-Compher-Kane
Berggren-Danielson-Appleton
Kasper-Copp-Van Riemsdyk
Defense
Bernard Docker-Seider
Chiarot-Sandin-Pellikka
Johansson-Hamonic
Goalies
Talbot
Gibson
Keys to the Game
Devils Need a Stopper
It’s times like these that a hockey team desperately needs its goaltenders to be its anchors. The Devils are banged up with Jack Hughes, Brett Pesce, Cody Glass, and others out with injuries. The Devils’ skater corps is holding it together with duct tape and toothpicks. It’s been touch-and-go when it comes to keeping pace with opponents, but what’s really sunk the Devils has been a lack of goaltending to stem the tide.
Last time out, Jake Allen played a major factor in the loss with six goals allowed and an .793 SV%. The Devils might have been in the game had Allen held his own as they brought the Flyers’ lead to two goals in the third period. He’s far from the only problem in net. Jacob Markström has struggled mightily since returning from injury, earning a .872 SV% and -3.57 goals saved above expected (GSAx). The Devils need their goaltenders to be their rocks now more than ever.
Keefe Needs to Rebuild Chemistry
Head coach Sheldon Keefe is in a tough spot as the lineup turns over night after night. Some players, such as Dougie Hamilton and Evgenii Dadonov, have returned to the lineup, while others, such as Jack Hughes, have come out with injury. Keefe mixed up the lines throughout the game on Saturday, moving around Gritsyuk, Palat, Brown, and Lammikko to try and spark the offense. Keefe will need to find a consistent group that works, even as his roster continues to shift.
Where to Watch
Monday night’s game can be seen on MSGSN at 7:00 pm ET.