In what feels like forever, the New Jersey Devils are back in action. After a successful road trip (3-1), the team returns home. Coming into town is the top team in the Atlantic Division in the Boston Bruins.
Boston is down key players, making this a tougher matchup for them against New Jersey. The Devils have been scorching hot since the return of captain Nico Hischier, and look to continue the trend.
Projected Lineup
Boston Bruins
Forwards
DeBrusk-Geekie-Pastrnak
Marchand-Coyle-Frederic
van Riemsdyk-Poitras-Heinen
Lauko-Beecher-Steen
Defense
Lindholm-Mitchell
Grzelcyk-Carlo
Lohrei-Shattenkirk
Goalies
Ullmark
Swayman
New Jersey Devils
Forwards
Meier-Hughes-Toffoli
Palat-Hischier-Bratt
Tierney-Mercer-Holtz
Lazar-McLeod-Bastian
Defense
Siegenthaler-Nemec
Bahl-Marino
Hughes-Miller
Goalies
Schmid
Vanecek
What to Watch For
Special Teams Play Will Be a Factor
It sounds cliche but special teams play will be a factor in this game. New Jersey is the more superior team at five-on-five but having the edge in special teams could help decide the outcome. It will be a battle of the two giants for their respective units; the top ranked power play (PP) and the top ranked penalty kill (PK).
The Bruins enter tonight’s game with the leagues best PK, having an 89.9% success rate. In all PK situations, the Bruins have allowed a league-low ten goals. It has been a true testament to their success but not something they want to rely on.
During the 2023-24 season, the Bruins have the eighth most penalty minutes (118) and have found themselves to be undisciplined this season. If the PK unit is not at its best and they do not stay out of the box, it could be a long night.
The Devils have the leagues best PP, having a 32.9% success rate. There is no shortage of firepower on the units either. With Boston being down Derek Forbort, the unit will have a tough challenge ahead of themselves. New Jersey has scored the second-most power play goals (28) and is led by Jesper Bratt. Between Bratt and Jack Hughes, they’ve combined for 31 points with the man advantage.
If the Bruins get into penalty trouble as they’ve shown this season, the Devils vaunted PP will need to come through.
Devils Needing to Match the Bruins Goaltending
You can flip a coin and it does not matter who starts in net for the Bruins. Both goaltenders have been great for them and have given the team a chance to win every night. Jeremy Swayman has been slightly better, posting a 2.08 goals against average (GAA) and a .932 save percentage (sv%). In addition, his 10 goals saved above expected (GSAX) ranks him fifth among all qualified goalies. Ullmark has been good as well, with a 2.70 GAA, .917 sv%, and 4.3 GSAX. Safe to say, the Devils goalies will need to match them and provide timely saves throughout this matchup.
The Devils’ goaltending has been better as of late, which instills confidence. Vitek Vanecek has won his last two starts, whereas Schmid has gone 2-2 in his last four, including a four-goal game against the Edmonton Oilers. Whomever gets the start will need to be better than the teams overall SV% of .878 and out duel the Bruins’ goaltending.
How to Watch
Tonight’s puck drop is at 7:30 pm ET and can be found on TNT.