Matchup Overview:
The Devils head back to Broadway looking to stop the bleeding and finally find a way to get a win. Both teams are playing the second half of a back to back, with the Devils falling 3-1 to the Senators, and the Rangers beating the Predators in overtime. The Rangers come in having won 5 of their last 6, and have only given up 3 goals in the last three games. The Devils continue to struggle on the road, with a record of just 4-11-4. With how strong the Metropolitan division has been playing, the Devils need to find a way to get a win and right the sinking ship.
Keys to the game:
Grit and heart. This is going to be yet another tough matchup against the rival Rangers, and scoring goals is not going to be easy. This is a game where it doesn’t matter how it goes in just as long as you get it past the goalie. Traffic in front, redirections, and rebounds are going to be key in trying to beat whichever goalie finds his way in the crease, most likely Raanta who shutout the Devils in their previous meeting. Raanta was forced to make only 19 saves, something that cannot happen again tonight if the Devils hope to get a win.
Players to watch:
Woods speed can be a true game changer. Courtesy of CBS New York
Miles Wood is fast. Not just regular fast, scary fast. He has seen an uptick recently in playing time, playing just shy of 15 minutes last night and making his presence felt whenever he is out there. Taylor Hall was very visible as well last night, clearly taking over that top line and generating multiple chances and a consistent sense of pressure on each and every single shift. The Zajac, Cammalleri, Hall line was easily the most dangerous on the ice, and that is a trend that will need to continue if we are looking to generate more goals and opportunities. Henrique and Palmieri have been slumping so far this season, and it’s very noticeable. Sometimes it just bad luck, but because of that they are both trying to do too much whenever they have the puck on their sticks. If they can simplify the game and just get the puck on net, good things will happen and the stats will start to show up, but they need to stop trying to force passes through the slot area and turning the puck over.
Rick Nash scored again last night, moving his total up to 13 goals on the season, and he has looked very dangerous whenever he is on the ice. Kevin Hayes currently leads the team with 23 points and also seems to have a strong game against the Devils, so they will certainly need to keep an eye on him whenever he is out there. The other strength for the Rangers right now is the depth they have, with 14 players having double digit points, including the young and dangerous Jimmy Vesey. Brady Skjei has also looked very impressive and more importantly comfortable on the back end of things, but is still just 22 so he can be pressured into making a mistake and turning the puck over.
Prediction:
The Devils played a strong game last night, generating 30 shots on net, not including a few golden opportunities put wide or off the post. Raanta has been having a tremendous year so it is going to be tough, but playing a rivalry game may be just what the Devils need to break this losing streak and right the ship. Devils win this one 3-2 in a classic Rangers vs. Devils matchup.