Preview: New Jersey Will Try to Avoid Losing Three in a Row In Buffalo

The Devils will look to avoid losing three games in a row vs Buffalo. (photo via NHL.com)

Match Overview

This afternoon the New Jersey Devils face off against the Buffalo Sabres in the first game of a back-to-back. The games will be in Buffalo and the first times the teams play this season. This is New Jersey’s first back-to-back of the season.

The Devils have lost their past two games at home against the Flyers. This is despite spending a majority of the time in the offensive zone, especially in the second game, and outshooting them 60-48 overall. Meanwhile, the Sabres have had a relatively successful stretch recently, going 3-1-2 in their past six games after losing their first two in regulation.

Projected Devils’ Lines

The Devils lines should stay relatively the same, except for the removal of Travis Zajac. The 15-year veteran was placed on the Covid list yesterday. Nick Merkley joined the team for practice after this, which means that he will most likely take Travis’ spot in the lineup. With all this in mind, check back to our social media pages for complete line combinations closer to game time.

Projected Sabres’ Lines

Sabres forward Sam Reinhart, who has three goals and six total points in eight games, is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and will most likely be out. The following were Buffalo’s lines from practice yesterday:

Forwards:

Olofsson – Eichel – Thompson

Hall – Staal – Cozens

Rieder – Eakin – Okposo

Skinner – Lazar – Sheahan

Defense:

Dahlin – Miller

Montour – Jokiharju

McCabe – Ristolainen

Goaltending:

Ullmark

Hutton

Who/What to Watch

  • Taylor Hall played parts of four different seasons with the Devils, only playing more than 70 games in two of them. In his time with New Jersey, Hall scored 76 goals and 208 total points in 211 total games. As well as becoming the first Devil to ever win the Hart Trophy. Hall Currently has seven points, only one of them being a goal in eight games as a Sabre.

  • For the Devils, Jack Hughes has filled the hole that Hall left, breaking out for seven points in his first seven games this season. Jack has been a top-tier play-driver this season, with an even-strength Corsi For % (CF%) of 53.93. With this great play, his time on ice per game has also gone up. As so far this season, Hughes has averaged just under 20 minutes a night, way up from his 15:51 he got last season.

  • Kyle Palmieri has been a decent play driver this season, with a CF% of 50.00. However, he hasn’t been as good as in recent years. Palmieri has been better in the past few games though, as luck has shown to have been a part of it. Kyle has collected 21 high danger scoring chances over the teams first seven games of the season which is a good sign for the rest of the year.

This afternoon’s game can be found on MSG+ at 1:00 PM EST.

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