Overview
After a tough loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets yesterday, the New Jersey Devils (8-9-1) will look to break out of their funk against the Buffalo Sabres (9-9-2) Saturday night at the Prudential Center.
New Jersey has lost three games in a row and seven of their past eight. Part of the issue is injuries, part of it is goaltending, and then there is the finishing issue. For New Jersey, today is a must-win game against a mediocre Sabres squad.
The Devils are in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division with 17 points. The Sabres are in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with 20 points.
Lines and Pairings
Devils –
Forwards
Toffoli-Hughes-Bratt
Haula-Mercer-Lazar
Palat-McLeod-Holtz
Smith-Tierney-Bastian
Defense
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Bahl-Marino
Hughes-Miller
Goalies
Vanecek
Schmid
Sabres –
Forwards
Skinner-Cozens-Tuch
Benson-Mittelstadt-Peterka
Girgensons-Krebs-Okposo
Jokiharju-Jost-Olofsson
Defense
Dahlin-Samuelsson
Power-Johnson
Clifton-Johnson
Goalies
Levi
Comrie
Keys to the Game
Starting Slow, Inability To Finish
The Devils struggled mightily once again to begin the game. They notched a paltry 46.88 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and a 30.32 expected goal percentage (xG%) in the first period. During the second half of the game, however, the Devils dominated. The Devils were buzzing in the third period, posting a 71.05 CF% and a 66.45 xG%.
That’s where their other issue surfaced: their lack of finishing. They had plenty of time in the Jackets’ zone, but couldn’t get a quality shot on Elvis Merzlikins. This was also an issue against the Red Wings when the Devils put up 1.45 expected goals but scored nothing. Finally getting decent goaltending, and the team is unable to finish whatever chances they get.
Hischier and Meier Still Missing, Lazar Questionable
Although Jack Hughes is back and playing with Tyler Toffoli and Jesper Bratt, the Devils still miss their other top-six forwards, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier. We have very little information regarding these two, all we know is that Hischier has been practicing with Curtis Lazar and Chris Tierney. We still don’t know when either Hischier or Meier will return.
The bigger concern, at least for today, is that Curtis Lazar may not be good to go against Buffalo. Lindy Ruff said yesterday that he would be questionable to play. This would force Ruff to throw the lines in a blender yet again and possibly give more playing time to guys like Nathan Bastian or the now-forward Brendan Smith.
Where to Watch
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSG at 7:00 PM EST.