Match Overview
After a heartbreaking defeat against the Washington Capitals on Sunday, the New Jersey Devils will look to redeem themselves against the Buffalo Sabres today. This will be a rematch of Saturday’s contest, one of two back-to-back defeats the Devils endured over the weekend.
This is an important game for New Jersey to show they can overcome adversity and to keep pace with the division. With MacKenzie Blackwood in net, and playing against a struggling team, this should be a match where the Devils demonstrate their true talent.
The Devils are 6-5-2 and sit in seventh place in the East Division. The Sabres are 5-7-2 and are behind New Jersey at eighth place.
Projected Lines
New Jersey
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Buffalo
Forwards:
Olofsson-Eichel-Reinhart
Hall-Staal-Cozens
Rieder-Eakin-Okposo
Skinner-Lazar-Sheahan
Defense:
Dahlin-Miller
Montour-Irwin
Jokiharju-Davidson
Goalies:
Ullmark
Hutton
Keys to the Game
MacKenzie Blackwood
Though he has been electric this season, the Devils’ star netminder has been limited to just six games thus far. This season, Blackwood has authored a 5-1-1 record with a .938 save percentage. He should hopefully stymie any attack from the Sabres.
Penalty Kill
Thanks to the Devils’ lack of a penalty kill, they blew a 2-0 lead against the Capitals on Sunday. This has been by far the weakest aspect of the Devils, and one they’ll have to remedy to compete in the East division. If not, they’ll need to be disciplined enough to make this a non-factor.
Kyle Palmieri
Despite a relatively slow start to the year, Kyle Palmeri has been on fire as of late. He has three goals and six points in his last four games, including two assists against Washington. If Palmieri continues this pace, there’s no stopping the Devils tonight.
Jack Hughes
There is no doubt that the Devils’ offense has been led by Jack Hughes. He scored last time out, his fourth goal and 11th point this season. He’s developing into the force New Jersey drafted him to be.
Prediction
The Devils can’t afford to stay down for long, and I don’t think they will. New Jersey will beat the Sabres 4-1 and get back to their winning ways.