The New Jersey Devils are back in action tonight looking to extend their winning streak to four games and continue their climb up the Eastern Conference in the process.
Standing in the way is the Detroit Red Wings; a team that has gone ice cold of late. The Wings have won just three of their last 10 games and have allowed 31 goals in that span.
They have probably played better than their record would indicate, though, as over the last 10 games the Red Wings are the league's 9th best possession team averaging upwards of 52% of the shot attempts at full-strength.
Despite New Jersey's recent success they have struggled in possession of late ranking 29th in the league since December 10th. They have, however, managed to come out on the good side of the high-danger scoring chance battle having gotten a 52% share at full-strength in that span.
With both teams holding on playoff spots by a thread this is a big game for both sides. It should be a good one.
LINEUPS Tlusty - Zajac - Palmieri Kennedy - Henrique - Stempniak Matteau - Kalinin - Sislo Farnham - Gionta - Tootoo
Greene - Moore Schlemko - Larsson Merrill - Severson
Schneider
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Tatar - Datsyuk - Helm Abdelkader - Zetterberg - Nyquist Larkin - Sheahan - Richards Andersson - Glendening - Nosek
Kronwall - Green Ericsson - DeKeyser Smith - Marchenko
Mrazek
NOTES 1) Of 10 defense pairings/forward lines Detroit has used together for at least 90 5 v 5 minutes this season no unit has allowed less scoring chances per 60 minutes than Smith - Marchenko. John Hynes and co. shouldn't be targeting that pairing.
2) Pavel Datsyuk struggled early on in the year and his season numbers aren't what you'd expect to see from him but he's been very effective of late registering eight points in his last nine games.
3) The Red Wings are struggling to keep the puck out of the net right now and the Devils have done a good job go late allowing just four goals in their last three. It seems the Devils are catching them at the right time.
The game is at 7:00 eastern and can be seen on MSG+, TVA Sports and FS-Detroit.
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