After wrapping up a successful five-game road trip, the New Jersey Devils (29-12-4) get to enjoy some home cooking. The first of two home games sees the team take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (23-15-7) in a crucial Metropolitan Division showdown. New Jersey is sitting in second place in the division, whereas the Penguins occupy the second wild-card position.
This is the second of four meetings between the two clubs. New Jersey took the first meeting 4-2.
Even though Tristan Jarry has returned from his injury, the Penguins enter the contest banged up. Kris Letang, Jan Rutta, and Kasperi Kapanen will not be available for the game. New Jersey remains without John Marino as his former team comes to town.
Projected Lineups
New Jersey Devils –
Forwards:
Palat-Hischier-Bratt
Sharangovich-Hughes-Tatar
Haula-Boqvist-Mercer
Wood-McLeod-Bastian
Defense:
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Smith-Severson
Okhotiuk-Graves
Goaltending:
Vanecek
Blackwood
Pittsburgh Penguins –
Forwards:
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Zucker-Malkin-Rakell
McGinn-Blueger-Carter
O’Connor-Gruden-Heinen
Defense:
Pettersson-Petry
Dumoulin-Friedman
Joseph-Ruhwedel
Goaltending:
Jarry
DeSmith
What To Watch For
The Dynamic Duo
For over more than a decade, the dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have dominated hockey. The same can be said for this season.
Crosby leads the team in goals (21) and points (53). Malkin is right behind him with 44 points. Both players have been hot as of late as they each have five points in their last five games.
It’ll be interesting to see which Devils’ pairing gets tasked with attempting to shutting these stars down.
Special Teams Play
The Devils have been one of the best teams at five-on-five, and Pittsburgh is middle of the pack in that regard. Special teams could become a factor. New Jersey has the 22nd ranked power play and Pittsburgh the 17th, but it is the penalty-killing units that will be a factor.
The Devils have the seventh-best unit, whereas Pittsburgh has the 11th best. Whichever unit comes out on top, can go a long way to helping secure the two points.
Late Game Heroics
One thing that was a hit on the Devils’ recent road trip was their willingness to never give up. In their final two games against the San Jose Sharks and Seattle Kraken, the team tied the game late in order to secure a point. Jack Hughes played hero, and so did captain Nico Hischier.
The Devils are right at the top of the league in comeback victories (14), and in the event they go down in this game, you can’t rule them out.
How To Watch
This afternoon’s game is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. EST and can be found on NHL Network or MSG.