The New Jersey Devils are back in action tonight and will be looking to exit the holiday break the same way they went into it: with a win.
Though the Carolina Hurricanes sit near the bottom of the league they will not be an easy out.
The Hurricanes have quietly played some good hockey this season. Only three teams get a larger share of 5 v 5 shot attempts and only seven have a better scoring chance differential.
The (almost) sole reason the Hurricanes aren't competing for at least a wild card spot is goaltending. Cam Ward has not been good, Eddie Lack has not been much better and as a result the 'Canes sit in a tie for 30th (aka last) in the NHL in 5 vs 5 save percentage.
If they had league average goaltending we'd be talking about what a pleasant surprise the Hurricanes have been.
The Devils can't afford to take them lightly.
LINEUPS Cammalleri - Henrique - Stempniak Ruutu - Zajac - Palmieri Elias - Kalinin - Kennedy Tlusty - Gionta - Josefson
Greene - Larsson Moore - Severson Gelinas - Schlemko
Schneider
--
Versteeg - Staal - Lindholm Nordstrom - J. Staal - Nestrasil Skinner - Rask - Di Giuseppe Malone - McClement - Terry
Liles - Faulk Slavin - Hainsey Hanifin - Pesce
Ward
NOTES 1) The Skinner - Rask - Di Giuseppe line has generated just 44% of 5 vs 5 shot attempts and 39% of the scoring chances in almost 100 minutes together. The line definitely possesses some offensive ability but they're less than adequate on the defensive side of things. The Devils should be looking to take advantage of that.
2) The Devils need to put pucks on net whenever they can. They have struggled to generate offense over the last little while and, as mentioned above, the Hurricanes have had the worst goaltending in the league this season. Put them to the test.
3) The Greene - Larsson v Versteeg - Staal - Lindholm matchup will be a fun one. The latter have generated a 57% share of 5 v 5 shot attempts, a 57% share of 5 v 5 goals and 63% share of 5 v 5 scoring chances in over 100 minutes together. I expect Zajac's line will also be used against that trio whenever possible.
The game is at 7:00 eastern and can be seen on MSG+ and FS-CAR.
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