The New Jersey Devils are in Ottawa tonight looking to pick up their second win in a row for the first time since early November.
This game figures to be an interesting one between two teams that play vastly different styles.
Ottawa likes to push the pace, trade chances and hope their high-end talent can shine through. That shows in the numbers, too, as they're top-5 in goals for, bottom-5 in goals against and rank 6th in events (shot attempts for + against) per 60 minutes of 5 v 5 play.
On the other side of things the Devils like to play a low-event game, limit chances against, and have Cory Schneider clean up the mess whenever necessary. The Devils are the lowest event team in the league averaging just 88 events per 60; over 30 less than Ottawa.
With both teams in the latter half of a back-to-back it'll be interesting to see which side can force the other into playing its style of hockey.
LINEUPS Cammalleri - Henrique - Palmieri Tlusty - Zajac - Kennedy Matteau - Kalinin - Stempniak Farnham - Gionta - Tootoo
Greene - Moore Schlemko - Larsson Merrill - Severson
Schneider
--
Hoffman - Zibanejad - Ryan Smith - Turris - Stone Dziurzysnki - Pageau - Chiasson Prince - McCormick - Neil
Methot - Karlsson Wiercioch - Borowiecki Cowen - Wideman
Anderson
NOTES 1) The Devils are generally a sound defensive team but in the latter half of a back-to-back they'll probably be a little more loose than they otherwise would be. Cory Schneider will have to be on his game; especially facing one of the best offensive teams in hockey.
2) Presumably due to Cowen's struggles the Sens generate just 46% of the shot attempts and 45% of the scoring chances with the Cowen - Wideman pairing on the ice at 5 v 5. John Hynes should be looking to get New Jersey's top unit(s) against them whenever he can.
3) The Devils did a good job of getting traffic in front of Cam Ward last time out and were rewarded on the scoreboard for their efforts. Their lineup is watered down due to injury right now so playing a simple game and getting pucks/bodies to the net is probably the best thing they can do.
The game is at 7:30 eastern and can be seen on MSG+, TSN5 and TVA Sports.
Recent Posts On Jon Merrill's early season struggles