Preview: New Jersey Devils Hope to Avoid Sixth Straight Loss

Photo via. Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images

Introduction

Tonight, the New Jersey Devils aim to end their skid and beat their rivals from the steel city, as they face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins have improved since the two teams previously met with players recovering from injuries and returning from COVID-19 protocol. The Devils, on the other hand, have had it rough recently, only winning one game in the entire month of December thus far.

Lineups

Devils’

Check our social media pages at gametime.

Penguins’

Forwards:

Rodrigues – Crosby – Kapanen

Zucker – Carter – Heinen

Aston-Reese – Blueger – McGinn

O’Connor – Lafferty – Simon

Defensemen:

Dumoulin – Letang

Pettersson – Marino

Matheson – Ruhwedel

Goalies:

Jarry

DeSmith

Pregame Notes:

  • With rising COVID-19 cases in the NHL, and around the world, there’s a good chance the NHL could temporarily shut down. So, while the Devils are losing, it might be something we shouldn’t take for granted, because soon we might not get any hockey at all. Also, side note: The Devils final game before the shutdown in 2020 was at home against the Penguins, just thought it was interesting based on the situation and who their opponent is tonight.
Figure is a RAPM chart from Evolving Hockey.
  • It’s hard to tell if it’s the Sidney Crosby effect or if this player is just showing his true potential, but Evan Rodrigues has been fantastic this season. He currently has 10 goals and 23 points in 29 games as well as the insane chart featured above. Either way, it’s a crazy out of nowhere breakout season for Rodrigues that I’m not sure anyone saw coming.

Tonight’s game is slated to begin at 7:00 PM ET and can be seen on MSG+ locally.

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