Overview
After a 5-4 overtime loss at Ottawa on Tuesday, the New Jersey Devils (27-44-9) have one final road game in the 2021-2022 season against the Carolina Hurricanes (53-20-8). The Devils and Hurricanes went head-to-head last Saturday in Newark. The Canes came from behind late, scoring two goals in the final five minutes before winning in overtime. Carolina has won two of three against New Jersey this season.
Carolina also enters the contest as the recently-crowned Metropolitan Division champions. The Hurricanes defeated the Rangers 4-3 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday to clinch the division with one game to spare. Rookie netminder Pyotr Kochetkov picked up his third NHL win in as many starts after he beat the Devils and Islanders last weekend.
Meanwhile, after a promising road trip, the Devils have struggled in the past week. New Jersey is 0-2-2 after a win at Vegas last Monday, with three of those four games being played at The Rock.
Projected Lines (via Daily Faceoff)
New Jersey Devils’
Forwards:
Johnsson – Mercer – Bratt
Kuokkanen – Boqvist – Sharangovich
Foote – Zacha – Zetterlund
Geertsen – McLeod – Bastian
Defensemen:
Smith – Severson
Graves – Hamilton
Bahl – Walsh
Goaltenders:
Hammond
Blackwood
Carolina Hurricanes’
Forwards:
Svechnikov – Aho – Jarvis
Domi – Trocheck – Teravainen
Niederreiter – Staal – Fast
Martinook – Stepan – Necas
Defensemen:
Slavin – DeAngelo
Skjei – Pesce
Smith – Cole
Goaltenders:
Kochetkov
Raanta
Who/What to Watch
Yegor Sharangovich
After a four-game pointless streak, Yegor Sharangovich has found a nice rhythm offensively. The 23 year old winger has three points in his last three games, including his 23rd and 24th goals of the season, a new career-high.
Sharangovich had a goal and an assist, contributing to both Devils’ goals against Carolina last Saturday. His power play goal against Carolina was New Jersey’s first with the man advantage since March 27 against Montreal, snapping an 0-for-31 stretch. With the 25 goal plateau in sight, it will be interesting to see if Sharangovich can continue this hot streak.
Pyotr Kochetkov
With both Antti Raanta and Frederik Andersen dealing with injury concerns, Carolina’s top goalie prospect has gotten a taste of the NHL. The 2019 second round pick made his NHL debut in winning fashion at the Prudential Center last weekend. Kochetkov has made two starts and one relief appearance (after Raanta left with an injury against the Islanders), winning all three with a 2.42 GAA and .902 save percentage. Kochetkov is in line to make his home debut against the Devils.
Alexander Holtz
On Wednesday, the Devils announced Alexander Holtz would be back with the NHL team for the final stretch of the season. Holtz has played seven games for the big club in 2021-22 and has not made a massive impact with just two assists.
However, he has been scorching hot for Utica in the AHL with 26 goals and 25 assists in 52 games. New Jersey has high hopes for the 2020 seventh overall pick, and a strong showing to close the season could help him earn a roster spot next year.
Where to Watch
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM ET. The game will be shown on MSG+.