The New Jersey Devils return from the west coast after going 1-1-1 and coming off of a strong shootout victory over the Anaheim Ducks. First up, on this three game homestand, is the Florida Panthers (10-1-1). The Panthers are on the second half of a back-to-back and are coming off their first regulation loss of the season.
Projected Lines
Devils
Check back to our social media pages around game time for the starting lines. The news so far indicates Yegor Sharangovich will be a healthy scratch and Mackenzie Blackwood will be in net. Dougie Hamilton is listed as a game-time decision.
Panthers’
Forwards:
Verhaeghe – Barkov – Duclair
Huberdeau – Lundell – Tippett
Vatrano – Reinhart – Mamin
Marchment – Luostarinen – Hornqvist
Defensemen:
Weegar – Ekblad
Forsling – Gudas
Connauton – Montour
Goaltenders:
Knight
Bobrovsky
What to Watch
Special Teams
It’s safe to say special teams have been far from a strength for New Jersey so far. The Devils currently rank 30th on the powerplay and 25th on the penalty kill. The Panthers on the other hand are 9th on the powerplay and 13th on the penalty kill. Avoiding penalties is easier said than done, so the Devils will have to be on their “A-game” when they in inevitable do.
One aspect that may just work in their favor is a potential advantage in the face-off circle. New Jersey has a four percent better win percentage on draws this season (49% versus 45%). It’s not a massive gap, but winning faceoffs means easier clear attempts on the kill and more possession time on the powerplay.
Aleksander Barkov
One of the best talents in the game, Barkov, always seems to fly under the radar. Barkov enters this one with 13-points on the season (six goals, seven assists) and at six-foot-three, 215 pounds, his physical presence is always felt when on the ice. Barkov is the definition of an all-around player, and once he makes a play in the defensive zone don’t be surprised to see him down the ice creating a scoring opportunity right after.
Where to Watch
The game is sent to begin at 7:00 PM ET at the Prudential Center. You can tune in through ESPN+ and Hulu streaming services.