They say there is no such thing as moral victories. However, the New Jersey Devils victory on Monday over the Vegas Golden Knights was a huge moral victory for this young team whose season is ending without the playoffs. Speaking of moral victories, the Buffalo Sabres haven’t even had many of those in their past decade or so at the bottom of NHL standings. The Sabres have the NHL’s current longest playoff drought of over 10 seasons (since the 2010-2011 season).
For how bad Buffalo has been, Tage Thompson has been incredible. The face of the Sabres since the departure of Jack Eichel has 63 points in 74 games this season. This includes a current four-game point streak. Speaking of Eichel, Thompson has already matched his career-high of 36 goals. He only needs one to surpass him and make Sabres fans start asking “Eichel who?”
The Devils have only been marginally better in recent memory, with two playoff appearances including a run to the Stanley Cup final in 2012. Both teams enter Thursday night’s matchup with little on the line. Even playing for bragging rights might cost them valuable draft position.
Players To Watch
Tage Thompson:
He’s also brothers with New Jersey Devils’ prospect Tyce Thompson. Even if Tyce isn’t going to be in the lineup, it’s always fun to keep tabs on Devils’ players NHL siblings.
Kevin Bahl:
As the analytics paint Bahl hasn’t been great overall. This despite some recent solid play. Over the past year he’s even fallen off the The Hockey News Future Watch rankings, yet still remains somewhat high on New Jersey’s organizational depth at the defensemen position. He may have had his most surprising game against Vegas. Bahl logged 20:09 of ice time against the likes of Eichel and Mark Stone.
Jesper Boqvist:
Getting the game winner against Vegas put him on this list. Boqvist has also had much improved play since the calendar turned to April. In nine games throughout April so far, Boqvist has four goals and two assists. In his 41 game before that he only had 14 points. He’s finding his niche as a bottom six forward.
Keys To The Game
Home Sweet Jersey:
The Devils had a much better road trip than expected, perhaps their best of the season. New Jersey went 3-1-1 on their recent road trip. That only regular loss came at the hands of the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche team. Even that was a much closer than expected 3-1 loss. The Devils had a five game losing streak before that, with the last four of those loses coming at the friendly confines of Prudential Center. Maybe New Jersey hopes Thursday’s game was taking place at the emptier KeyBank Center?
Who’s in Net:
Nobody expected Andrew Hammond to have the game he had against Las Vegas. Prior to that, rookie Nico Daws had started six of the Devils last seven games, all losses. Do the Devils go with the hot hand in Hammond? Daws was sent back to Utica to gear up for the AHL playoffs with the Utica Comets. Does this mean Mackenzie Blackwood is nearing a return?
The Power Of Owen Power:
The 2020 first overall pick has finally made it to the NHL. His four game so far have seem him look comfortable in the NHL. However, he’s coming off a performance against the Philadelphia Flyers where he ended the night a minus-three.
The second pairing defensemen on the left side has played in almost 20 minutes every game (except 19:50 in his first game). He hasn’t earned special team’s duties yet, although the Devils are perfectly power-less on the power play, with or without the power of Power.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres’
Forwards
Jeff Skinner-Tage Thompson-Victor Oloffson
Rasmus Asplund-Dylan Cozens-Kyle Okposo
Peyton Krebs-Casey Mittelstadt-Alex Tuch
Anders Bjork-Zemgus Girgensons-Vinnie Hinostroza
Defensemen
Mattias Samuelsson-Rasmus Dahlin
Owen Power-Henri Jokiharju
Jacob Bryson-Casey Fitzgerald
Goaltenders
Dustin Tokarski
Craig Anderson
New Jersey Devils’
Check back to our Devils Army Network social media channels. We will have updated lineups when available.
Prediction
The Devils are due for a home win in front of their fans. Don’t be surprised if both teams scored multiple goals. Let’s say 4-2 New Jersey.
Puck drop is slated for 7:00 PM ET at the Prudential Center.