After a five game road trip following the return from the 4 Nations Face-off break, the New Jersey Devils return home. They’ll take on the top team in the Western Conference in the Winnipeg Jets. This coming just hours after the NHL trade deadline.
Matchup Overview
Things have not been the kindest to the Devils since returning from the break. They have gone 2-4, including shutout by the Vegas Golden Knights. That wasn’t the only blow they’ve suffered since the break.
During the game against the Golden Knights, the Devils lost star center Jack Hughes for the remainder of the season. Furthermore, Dougie Hamilton went down during the game against the Stars and is unable to play against the Jets. The Devils made a move by acquiring defenseman Brian Dumoulin from the Anaheim Ducks, so help is on the way.
Since returning from the break, the Devils sit 15th in Corsi-for percentage (50.41), but sit 19th in expected goals-for percentage (48.14). While they are getting their chances, their inability to finish has plagued them, as they’ve scored well below their expected rate. They’ll look to improve their offense, cause they’ll need it with the team they’ll be facing.
The Jets were comfortably on an 11 game winning streak and were unbeatable. However, they did go on a three game losing skid recently, losing each game by one goal. Having losses coming against three teams outside of the playoff picture is a tough pill to swallow, but this is still a dangerously good hockey team. They have scored the third most goals in the league, allowing the fewest goals against, and also have the league’s best power play unit.
If it is any consolation for the Devils, the Jets played just last night in Philadelphia, ending that three game losing streak. However, Eric Comrie was in net. That means the Devils will likely see arguably the best goaltender in the league, Connor Hellebuyck Friday night.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
Meier-Hischier-Bratt
Palat-Mercer-Tatar
Dowling-Haula-Noesen
Cotter-Lazar-Bastian
Defense
Hughes-Pesce
Dillon-Nemec
Dumoulin-Kovacevic
Goalies
Markstrom
Allen
Winnipeg Jets
Forwards
Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Ehlers-Namestnikov-Perfetti
Niedereitter-Lowry-Appleton
Barron-Gustafsson-Iafallo
Defense
Morrissey-Demelo
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Miller
Goalies
Helleybuck
Comrie
What to Watch For
Who Steps Up in Hughes’ Absence?
There is no denying the impact that Jack Hughes had on the Devils. He is the heart and soul of their offense and losing him is a major blow. Hughes leads the team in goals (27) and is tied for the team lead in points (70). In addition, he has been on the ice for 66.23% of the Devils scoring, so having that absence is a loss to the Devils’ offense. So, who steps up and leads the way?
The Devils have gotten a high caliber season out of Jesper Bratt, who also has 70 points on the year. He will be leaned on heavily for his offense, as he has also been on the ice for 63.58% of the Devils scoring. The biggest X-factor in this game and beyond is going to be Timo Meier.
Meier notoriously has been a menace in the month of March. During the 2023-24 season, he finished with 13 goals and 20 points and health was finally on his side. He now has three points this month, scoring a goal in the last game as well. The Jets are a good team and Hughes is absent, so Meier stepping up largely is massive for this Devils team.
Solving Connor Helleybuck
With the Jets turning to Comrie in the Flyers game, the Devils get the luxury of facing Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Helleybuck. The Devils forward group will need to be at their best, because Helleybuck has been a problem this season and is a huge reason the Jets have the best save percentage in the league.
Helleybuck has the best goals saved above expected in the league (31.5), while having a 2.01 goals against average, and a .926 save percentage. It definitely will not be easy and the Devils will want to put their best effort forward and take advantage of a Jets team playing the night before.
How to Watch
Puck drop is at 7:00 pm ET and can be found on MSG.