Match Overview

After a nail-biter of an overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, the New Jersey Devils are set to take on the Calgary Flames in the last game of their opening home stand. It hasn’t exactly been easy sledding for Jersey. However, they have etched out three wins in the team’s first four games. Given the injury issues the Devils are dealing with, the team will hope to grind out another positive result.

As mentioned previously, there have been bumps in the road for New Jersey. However, they have nonetheless secured an impressive record of 3-1-0. This is good for seventh in the congested Metropolitan Division. The Flames, on the other hand, have won three straight and are 3-1-1 on the year.

Projected Lineups

Devils Lines/Pairings

Forwards:

Kuokkanen-Hischier-Sharangovich

Zacha-Mercer-Tatar

Johnsson-McLeod-Bratt

Geertson-Gauthier-Vesey

Defense:

Smith-Hamilton

Graves-Severson

Siegenthaler-Subban

Goalies:

Daws

Wedgewood

Flames Lines/Pairings

Forwards:

Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk

Coleman-Backlund-Pitlick

Lucic-Monahan-Lewis

Mangiapane-Dube-Ritchie

Defense:

Hanifin-Andersson

Kylington-Tanev

Valimaki-Gudbranson

Goalies:

Markstrom

Vladar

Who/What to Watch

Defensive Switch

Instead of the usual Dougie Hamilton/Ryan Graves and the Damon Severson/Ty Smith pairings, it appears New Jersey is switching things up. As they are projected to pair Severson with Graves and Smith with Hamilton. This is an interesting decision seeing as all players involved have been doing well in their current pairs. Severson has been especially good, having scored a point in each of his first three games. This will be something to keep an eye on tonight, hopefully head coach Lindy Ruff is pushing the correct buttons.

Blake Coleman Reunion

When Blake Coleman was with the Devils, he was most certainly a fan favorite. Needless to say, fans were devastated when Coleman was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning just prior to the COVID-19 shutdown. Tonight marks his first night back at the Prudential Center since that trade. Hopefully, with a tribute video waiting for him.

My Prediction

The defensive pairing reshuffling is a tad concerning. Also, a repeat of a superb Nico Daws’ showing will be difficult. So, I’ll say the Devils lose 4-2.

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