The New Jersey Devils (27-22-2) wrap up their West Coast road trip. They’ll take on the Seattle Kraken (22-19-9). These two teams met just 11 days ago, with the Devils winning in overtime 3-2.
Matchup Overview
After a demoralizing loss to the Carolina Hurricanes (4-1), the Devils were looking for a response. That is exactly what they have gotten thus far. New Jersey has won five of their last six games, with the Hurricanes loss the only blemish over their last six. This includes a 5-4 victory against the Canucks their lsat twin out on Friday.
As for the Kraken, they’ve been on a downward spiral. After winning four in a row, they’ve lost seven of their last nine games. Goaltending has kept them in the thick of things, but offensively this team is a mess. For the Devils, they’ll look to feast on the opportunity for a big two points and to wrap up the road trip on a successful note.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
Meier-Hughes-Bratt
Palat-Hischier-Mercer
Gritsyuk-Glass-Hameenaho
Dadonov-Cotter-Brown
Defense
Siegenthaler-Pesce
Dillon-Hamilton
Nemec-Kovacevic
Goalies
Markstrom
Allen
Seattle Kraken
Forwards
McCann-Beniers-Eberle
Schwartz-Wright-Kakko
Catton-Stephenson-Tolvanen
Winterton-Meyers-Gaudreau
Defense
Dunn-Larsson
Oleksiak-Montour
Evans-Lindgren
Goalies
Grubauer
Daccord
What to Watch For
Follow the Blueprint From The Last Meeting
It took a game-winning goal in overtime by the captain Nico Hischier, but the Devils were a more dominant team in that win. The Kraken are not a strong five-on-five team and the Devils controlled that part of the game.
In that win, the Devils finished with a Corsi-for percentage (CF%) of 59.78 and had an expected goals-for percentage of 68.06. The Devils did all the right things and even controlled things in the high-danger areas of the ice. Given their efforts on this road trip, it’s safe to say if they follow the blue print they had in the first meeting, the results they want should be there.
Can Hämeenaho Keep The Good Times Going?
The sample size is very small. But this is a player who has wasted no time making his on ice impacts felt. As a result, 21-year-old rookie Lenni Hämeenaho scored his first goal of his NHL career against Vancouver.
Hes been a bright spot alongside Cody Glass and Arseny Gritsyuk and it gives the Devils a much needed boost offensively. That trio has been by far the team’s best line since forming back in Calgary.
How To Watch
Sunday’s puck drop is at 3:00 pm EST and can be found on MSG.