Match Overview

Having broken the team’s five-game skid with a 1-0 win over Boston, the New Jersey Devils will look to build momentum against the Washington Capitals. It’s been a tough stretch for Jersey, as the team has lost eight of nine before Sunday’s win. That win, however, came with little offense for the Devils, a glaring trend recently. This young team with plenty of scoring-potential needs an electric offensive performance to boost morale.

Winning will be no easy task, however, as the Devils will face Washington, one of the best in the division. They’re on a hot streak of their own, having won four of their last five, including two over New Jersey. The suspension of forward Tom Wilson still looms large over the Caps as he has been one of their best performers this season.

This is a key matchup for both teams. For the Devils, this stretch of losing needs to end with a decisive win. For the Capitals, keeping pace with the first-place Islanders is key. The Devils are 8-11-2, good for seventh in the East Division. The Capitals are 14-6-4 and sit in second place behind the aforementioned Islanders.

Projected Lines

Devils’ Lines

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Capitals’ Lines

Forwards:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie

Vrana-Kuznetsov-Sprong

Sheary-Eller-Panik

Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway

Defense:

Dillon-Carlson

Orlov-Schultz

Chara-Jensen

Goalies:

Samsonov

Vanecek

What/Who to Watch

MacKenzie Blackwood

The Devils’ star-netminder has had a rough go of things recently, much like his team. He hasn’t had a decent game since February and has a complete liability in some games. In fact, he hasn’t let up less than three goals since a February 18th win against Boston.

This horrendous stretch of play has demonstrated how much the Devils need him to succeed. His calming presence will be vital if the Devils’ offense falters again. The Thunder-Bay native owns a .904 save percentage and a 2.97 goals against average thus far in the season.

The Penalty Kill is Vital

The penalty kill has been decent as of late, yes you read that right. It certainly hasn’t been the highlight of the Devils’ games, but it will be ultra-important today. As the Capitals have shown time and again against the Devils, they are monsters on the powerplay. Not only will it be important to play well shorthanded, but also to stay out of the box entirely.

Scott Wedgewood

It’ll be interesting to see who head coach Lindy Ruff goes with tonight. That is why I wanted to discuss both Devils’ goalies.

On Sunday, Scott Wedgewood beat the Bruins for his second shutout of the season. That’s absolutely insane considering his previous level of play and that there should be two goalies ahead of him in the depth charts. His win on Sunday caused him to make 40-saves against an electric Boston offense. It’s reasonable to think that Wedgwood has jumped Aaron Dell on the depth charts for the time being.

Tonight’s game can be seen at 7:00 pm on MSG+.