Tonight, the New Jersey Devils (1-2-0) travel to Long Island to take on the New York Islanders (2-1-0). This is the first meeting of the season between the Metropolitan Division foes.
Match Overview
The Devils enter tonight’s contest coming off their first win of the season, a dominant 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. It’s been an up-and-down start for New Jersey, with poor goaltending once again rearing its ugly head just as it did in 2021-2022.
Per Natural Stat Trick, New Jersey has been the most effective team in the league in terms of play driving at even strength in several metrics. However, Devils goaltenders are dead last in both save percentage and high danger save percentage.
After a very shaky start Tuesday, Mackenzie Blackwood rebounded to actually save 0.14 goals above expected. There is a chance the Devils stick with Blackwood tonight, but without a clear starter in net, it’s likely Vitek Vanecek gets his second start of the year.
There is no serious injury news to report for New Jersey. Per Amanda Stein, Jonas Siegenthaler took a puck to the face Tuesday night, but did not miss a shift. He is expected to play tonight.
Meanwhile, the Islanders have won two straight after dropping their season opener against the Florida Panthers. Going into the season, the biggest question about the Islanders was where the goals would come from. New York ranked 23rd in the NHL with 2.79 goals for per game last season. However, after scoring just once on opening night, the Islanders put 12 past the Ducks and Sharks in two dominant wins.
Ilya Sorokin is expected to start for New York after getting his first night off on Tuesday. Sorokin finished sixth in Vezina voting last year, posting a .925 save percentage. As for injuries, the Islanders will be without defenseman Sebastian Aho who is on Injured Reserve.
Projected Lines
New Jersey Devils –
Forwards:
Palat-Hischier-Bratt
Sharangovich-Hughes-Mercer
Tatar-Haula-Wood
Bastian-McLeod-Holtz
Defensemen:
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Graves-Marino
Smith-Severson
Goaltenders:
Vanecek
Blackwood
New York Islanders –
Forwards:
Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier
Parise-Barzal-Palmieri
Bailey-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
Defensemen:
Pelech-Pulock
Romanov-Dobson
Salo-Mayfield
Goaltenders:
Sorokin
Varlamov
What To Watch For:
Devils’ Goaltending
As mentioned above, the Devils have gotten the lowest save percentage in the league so far this season from their goalies. For as well as NJ has played at five-on-five through three games, it matters very little if the team cannot get a remotely quality performance in net. Tuesday was the only time this season a Devils goaltender has posted a positive goals saved above expected number. Unsurprisingly, this was also the only win New Jersey has.
Regardless of who is in net tonight, Mackenzie Blackwood (.864 save percentage) and Vitek Vanecek (.773 save percentage) have to step their game up to give the Devils a chance to compete this season.
Jack Hughes
Despite still looking for his first goal of the season, Jack Hughes has still created plenty of chances. Per JFresh Hockey, Hughes has second-lowest goals scored below expected this season, meaning he is creating plenty of chances, just not finishing them off. Based on the quality of the shots Hughes has taken, he is expected to have 1.8 goals rather than zero.
Eventually though, the chances will turn into goals. Hughes shot 15.8% last season and has a career mark of 10%, so it is only a matter of time before he finds his scoring touch again.
Oliver Wahlstrom
The 2018 first-round pick has been on fire to start the season. Despite missing opening night, Wahlstrom leads the Islanders with three goals, including a two-goal performance on Tuesday. Wahlstrom’s possession metrics have been strong as well. Per Natural Stat Trick, the 22-year-old has a Corsi-For percentage (CF%) of 61.54% and an expected goals for percentage of 61.53%. His CF% is the third-best mark on the team.
Where To Watch
Tonight’s game will only be televised on ESPN+ and Hulu. Puck drop is set for 7:30 P.M. ET from UBS Arena.