After losing four of their last six games, the New Jersey Devils travel back up north for their game Monday night. This time to Buffalo, NY, where they will face the Buffalo Sabres at 7PM Eastern Time. It will be the second meeting between the two teams, the first of which Buffalo won 7-2 back on October 5th. Hearing that and knowing the current state of the Devils is disheartening, which may make it even more important to pay attention.
Related: Current State of the Devils
What to Watch
Given the fact that New Jersey is standing among the worst teams in the NHL, we may see some important changes depending on what happens in this game. Or, this game could spark some magic for the team, being the first test of another back-to-back. So pay close attention to the power play that went -2 against their arch-rival. Look for the mid-game lineup changes to contemplate whether they’re justifiable. Watch to see if the Devils can out-score their opponents in the third period. Because even if they don’t win, maybe we’ll see a more motivated team on tonight against the Sabres.
Line Combinations
Devils
- Boqvist-Hischier-Palmieri
- Coleman-Zajac-Gusev
- Hall-Zacha-Bratt
- Wood-Rooney-Simmonds
- Greene-Severson
- Vatanen-Subban
- Butcher-Tennyson
- Domingue
- Blackwood
Sabres
- Oloffson-Eichel-Reinhart
Skinner-Larsson-Sheary
Mittelstadt-Johnasson-Vesey - Girgensons-Asplund-Miller
- Montour-Ristolainen
- McCabe-Bogosian
- Sandella-Jokiharju
- Ullmark
- Hutton
Who to Watch
If you’re sick of discussing how the team plays as a whole, tonight is a great opportunity to key in on individual performances. Considering the Devils could be sellers in the trade market soon, watch how guys with expiring contracts play like Sami Vatanen, Andy Greene, Wayne Simmonds, and Taylor Hall.
Watching these players may be indicative of what the Devils could replace them with if they choose to trade them. For Buffalo, watch for the same guys that capitalized in the first matchup; including Jack Eichel, who is leading the team in scoring with 45 points, and Victor Oloffson, who’s leading all rookies in goals scored with 10.
Where to Watch
7PM ET; MSG-B, MSG+