The New Jersey Devils hit the road for another Metropolitan Division showdown. They’ll head over to the nation’s capital and take on the Washington Capitals. This is the third meeting between the two clubs this season. The Devils won the first meeting 5-3, but lost the second meeting 6-5. Both teams are separated by one point in the standings.

Matchup Overview 

The Devils are coming into Washington riding a wave of momentum. They have gone 8-3 in their last 11 games, which is an impressive run. What’s impressive is the competition they’ve beaten in this stretch. The Devils shutout the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers, while also beating the Florida Panthers twice and outscoring them 10-3. The icing on the cake was beating the Carolina Hurricanes on home ice 4-2. 

The Devils big stars have carried the load in this stretch. Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes have 16 points during this time with Bratt leading the way with eight goals. Depth is also chipping in, especially Stefan Noesen. His seven goals are second on the team over that span.

The Capitals impressive season continues and they’ve put together quite the storyline to begin the year. They’ve won three of their last four games, beating the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Utah Hockey Club. However, it came at a price. Captain Alexander Ovechkin is out for the next four-to-six weeks with an injury. He’s been enjoying a resurgent season and is growing closer and closer to catching Wayne Gretzky’s goal record. He was on pace for 63 goals before the injury, so this is a major loss. 

The Capitals have no shortage of players to help produce and contribute. It’ll be another great test and game between the two clubs. 

Projected Lineup 

New Jersey Devils

Forwards 

Palat-Hughes-Bratt

Meier-Hischier-Noesen

Foote-Haula-Mercer

Cotter-Dowling/Bowers-Tatar

Defense

Dillon-Hamilton 

Siegenthaler-Kovacevic

Hughes-Pesce

Goalies 

Markstrom 

Allen

Washington Capitals 

Forwards 

McMichael-Dubois-Wilson

Mangiapane-Strome-Protas

Lapierre-Eller-Vrana

Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh

Defense

Chychrun-Carlson

Sandin-Roy

Fehervary-van Riemsdyk

Goalies 

Lindgren 

Thompson 

What to Watch For 

Who Will Be the Better Team At Five on Five 

Special teams success will certainly be tough to come by in this game. The Devils have been spectacular this season on special teams, as they have the fourth-best power play and the seventh-best penalty kill. For the Capitals, they have the 25th-ranked power play, but the third-best penalty kill.

Over this 11 game stretch, the Devils have allowed just four goals while shorthanded. The Capitals have done the exact same. Given how strong these teams are on the penalty kill, being the better five-on-five team will be crucial. 

When it comes to five-on-five play, the Devils have the slight edge in Corsi-for percentage (CF%). The Devils sit at 50.00 compared to the Capitals 47.90. However, when it comes to generating offense and expected goals, the margins are closer. 

The Devils have the fifth-most expected goals for (44.25) and have scored at their expected with 44 goals. The Capitals have shattered their expectations and have scored the most goals at five-on-five with 60. It will be hard without Ovechkin for them, but with special teams being a strong suit, the better five-on-five team could prevail. 

Jesper Bratt’s Phenomenal Start

Jesper Bratt is a special player and has been a huge focal point of the Devils’ offense. It’s amazing that at different points the Devils big stars have helped carry the load. Nico Hischier started the year strong and now Bratt is heating up and has been a huge part of their success recently. 

Bratt has been a force. With him on the ice, the Devils are out attempting the opposition 156-to-130 and have a goal differential of seven-to-four. Good things always happen when Bratt is on the ice. Between his playmaking ability and goal scoring, he is a constant threat and it’s been crucial in this stretch.  

16 points in 11 games is great, but the pace he is on is greater. Bratt is on pace for 100 points this season, which would be the first in Devils history and would surpass the record set by Hughes. He currently leads the team in points and is tied for the team lead in goals. 

Bratt has two assists against the Capitals this season, so he’s factored into the scoresheet. Given the rate he’s producing, watch for Bratt to continue his dominance in this matchup. 

Where to Watch 

Saturday night’s puck drop is at 7:00 pm ET and can be found on MSG.