The New Jersey Devils (31-20-6) return from the 4 Nations Face-off break with a home game against the Dallas Stars (35-18-2). New Jersey sits third in the Metropolitan Division, two points behind Carolina for second place, although the Hurricanes have played one fewer game. The Devils won two of three heading into the break. This is the first meeting of the year between New Jersey and Dallas.
Match Overview
In positive news, Nico Hischier is expected to return to the lineup for New Jersey. The captain has not played since January 25 in Montreal. In the six games without Hischier, the Devils went 3-3-0.
Jacob Markstrom also was present at practice this week, returning to the ice for the first time since his injury on January 22. However, he remains on injured reserve and is not expected to return in the immediate future. Nico Daws, who returned to Utica to get game action over the break, was recalled to New Jersey on Thursday.
That means Jake Allen will start in net. Allen has posted a .912 save percentage and a 11.98 goals saved above expected (GSAx) this season.
Meanwhile, Dallas has had an excellent season, currently sitting third in the league. The Stars are led by Matt Duchene’s 55 points in 55 games. His 22 goals are also tied for the team lead with Wyatt Johnston. Jason Robertson has also cracked the 20-goal plateau with 20 goals and 31 assists for 51 points.
Dallas also recently acquired Mikael Granlund from San Jose. Granlund has 49 points in 56 games this season. Dallas also picked up veteran defenseman Cody Ceci in that trade.
Thomas Harley paces the defense with 29 points. However, star blueliner and former third overall pick Miro Heiskanen is currently month-to-month after having knee surgery earlier this month. The Finnish defenseman missed the 4 Nations Face-off and isn’t expected back in the short term.
Jake Oettinger should get the start for Dallas. The 26-year-old netminder served as Team USA’s backup during the Four Nations Faceoff and has posted a .911 save percentage and a 12.94 GSAx this season.
Projected Lines
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
Palat – Hughes – Bratt
Meier – Hischier – Noesen
Cotter – Haula – Mercer
Tatar – Lazar – Bastian
Defensemen
Dillon – Hamilton
Pesce – Kovacevic
Nemec – Hughes
Goaltenders
Allen
Daws
Dallas Stars
Forwards
Robertson – Hintz – Johnston
Marchment – Duchene – Granlund
Benn – Bourque – Dadonov
Back – Blackwell – Stankoven
Defensemen
Harley – Lindell
Bichsel – Dumba
Smith – Ceci
Goaltenders
Oettinger
DeSmith
What To Watch For
Nico Hischier
Although he only missed six contests, Nico Hischier is set to make his long-awaited return to the lineup. Hischier is key to everything New Jersey does, playing on the top power play and penalty kill units while also taking the top matchups at five-on-five.
On the season, Hischier is third on the team in time on ice per game at 20:20, trailing only Jack Hughes and Brett Pesce. Meanwhile, despite his recent injury, Hischier is still tied with Hughes for the team lead in goals with 24.
Hischier’s underlying numbers are excellent as well. His 56.50 expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) at five-on-five is third on the team while 58.65 high danger chances-for percentage (HDCF%) is second. Simply put, with Hischier on the ice, the Devils have a significant edge in the quality of chances created, and his return to the lineup will be a vital boost.
Erik Haula
Erik Haula returned to the lineup for three games before the 4 Nations Face-off break after an injury of his own. He was asked to immediately jump into the deep end, being asked to fill in for Hischier in the top-six and take on the toughest matchups.
Things did not go particularly well, as was likely expected. Haula posted a 23.03 xGF% at five-on-five, the lowest mark on the team during that stretch.
Luckily for Haula, Hischier’s return will bump him down to a more customary third line role, and the Devils will hope it will pay immediate dividends.
Brett Pesce
During the final week before the break, New Jersey went 2-2 over a four-game stretch. Brett Pesce led the team with a 53.76 xGF% at five-on-five and was the only Devil above 50.00. Pesce also led the team with a 57.89 HDCF%.
Over the entirety of the season, Jonas Siegenthaler leads the Devils in both of those categories, but with Siegenthaler out injured, the Devils will continue to lean on Pesce in a leading shutdown role.
Where To Watch
Puck drop between the Devils and Stars is scheduled for 6:00 pm ET on MSGSN.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.