Overview
The New Jersey Devils will look to snap their four-game losing streak against the Florida Panthers tonight at the Prudential Center. They lost their last game against the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1.
After a historic 13-game winning streak, the Devils have taken a step back recently. They’ve played strong hockey in most contests, but they’ve shot themselves in the foot on a number of occasions with penalties and some overall miscues. On top of that, the offense has gone quiet; they only have two goals in their last two games. The Devils will look to get their groove back against a mediocre Panther squad.
The Devils own a record of 21-7-1 and are in first place in the Metropolitan Division with a dwindling four-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers, on the other hand, are 14-13-4 and sit fifth in the Atlantic.
Lines and Pairings
Devils’ –
Forwards:
Tatar-Hischier-Zetterlund
Sharangovich-Hughes-Bratt
Wood-Haula-Mercer
Boqvist-McLeod-Holtz
Defense:
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Graves-Marino
Smith-Severson
Goalies:
Vanecek
Schmid
Panthers’ Lines –
Forwards:
Verhaeghe-Barkov-Reinhart
Luostarinen-Bennett-Dalape
Lomberg-Staal-Cousins
TBD-Heponiemi-Denisenko
Defense:
Forsling-Ekblad
Staal-Montour
Kiersted-Mahura
Goalies:
Bobrovsky
Lyon
Keys to the Game
Breaking Past the Goalie
A common theme over the course of this losing streak is that the Devils do what they usually do by controlling possession and pace of play, but can’t seem to break past opposing goalies. This happened against Carter Hart and the Flyers, Scott Wedgewood and the Stars, and Shesterkin and the Rangers, especially in the overtime period where the Devils had almost two minutes of possession.
Making every goalie seem like a Vezina candidate was a frustrating theme of last season. If the Devils want to return to their winning ways, they must have Sergei Bobrovsky’s number.
Blackwood on the Horizon
Goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood will soon be back in New Jersey, at least that’s what he wants. He was recently assigned to the Utica Comets on a conditioning loan, a clear sign that he’s almost ready to go. He stumbled to start the stint, but put up solid numbers last night with a .939 save percentage.
Blackwood is ready to roll, but where will he fit into the Devils’ organization? Akira Schmid has been outstanding in his absence and, despite a few recent hiccups, Vitek Vanecek has been excellent.
Since Blackwood went down on November 3rd, Vanecek has posted a .912 SV% while Schmid has posted a .937 SV% in a backup role. They’ve also combined for 9.21 goals saved above expected (GSAx). This casts doubt over Blackwood’s role, leaving head coach Lindy Ruff and GM Tom Fitzgerald with a tough decision.
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSGSN at 7:30 PM.