Tonight, the New Jersey Devils look to continue their success from Tuesday by beating the Anaheim Ducks tonight. The Devils are five points out of a wild card spot chasing the Tampa Bay Lightning with three games in hand. They also sit five points out of third in the Metropolitan division with one game in hand on the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Devils are 30-25-4, good enough for fourth in the Metropolitan. The Ducks hold a record of 20-35-3, which has them third-worst in the league.
Match Overview
These are two teams that have had tough seasons in different ways. The Devils’ has been filled with injuries and goaltending struggles. The Ducks have just not been very good as their rebuild continues. One of their best wins of the year came against the Devils, 5-1, at the Prudential Center.
The Devils won their last game in San Jose, demolishing the Sharks 7-2. Meanwhile, the Ducks also last played against the Sharks last night defeating them 6-4.
The most notable aspect of the Ducks’ game last night is John Gibson started. That likely means backup goaltender Lukas Dostal will get the nod against New Jersey. Dostal has a -0.25 goals saved above expected this season.
The two teams, like mentioned, played once earlier this season when the Ducks had their way with the Devils. Adam Henrique scored a hat trick against his former team in that Anaheim win. Last season, the Devils beat the Ducks 4-2 at home and 6-2 on the road.
Lines and Pairings
Devils
Check back on our social media pages before puck drop.
Ducks
Forwards
Henrique-Carlsson-Killorn
Vatrano-McTavish-Leason
Lundestrom-Strome-Silfverberg
Johnston-Carrick-Jones
Defense
Lindstrom-Fowler
Vaakanainen-Gudas
Mintyukov-Lyubushkin*
Goalies
Dostal
Gibson
* – traded to Toronto last night.
Keys to the Game
Checking in on Gibson
Despite not being tonight’s projected starter, John Gibson is having his best season in a few years. He has an .898 save percentage (SV%), but, more importantly, a goals saved above expected (GSAx) of 10.47. This indicating that he’s been playing pretty well behind a putrid defense. These numbers would comfortably be better than any goalie that has appeared with the Devils this year.
The Devils have been linked to Gibson and while he would be the team’s best goaltender is it enough of an upgrade to warrant what the price of acquisition would be? It depends if we would get the old John Gibson when trading for him but assuming that is not a smart move. Overall, based on his cap hit and price it makes more sense to stay away.
Third Party
Every year at the trade deadline there are a few trades in which a third team is involved. A team with some extra cap space to retain in order for a trade to go through. The Devils with the excessive long-term injured reserve cap space became that team Wednesday night.
Chris Tanev was traded to the Dallas Stars, but the Stars needed a lower cap hit to grab him. In comes the Devils who traded unsigned goaltender Cole Brady (a new rule this year where they can’t trade future considerations) for a fourth-round draft pick. Really good work from the Devils to basically get a “free” draft pick.
Where to Watch
Tonight’s contest in Anaheim will begin at 10:00 pm ET. It can be viewed on MSG SportsNet.