Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
Here are five things to watch when the New Jersey Devils take on the Philadelphia Flyers:
1. Slow starters
Carter Hart and Mackenzie Blackwood both played extremely well as rookies last season. That success hasn’t carried into this season. Of the 38 goaltenders to play 300+ minutes, Hart ranks 37th in save percentage. Blackwood sits 36th. A completely washed Jonathan Quick is the only guy who has fared worse than these two. Though neither team plays at a fast pace, there could be quite a few goals in this one if Hart and/or Blackwood don’t play significantly better.
2. Following up
Pavel Zacha, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt were nothing short of spectacular in their debut together against the Lightning. In ~10 minutes of 5v5 ice, they posted a +10 shot attempt differential and controlled 74.51% of the Expected Goals. Remarkable, even against a banged up Lightning team in a back-to-back situation. I think this line has serious potential, especially with how well Zacha is playing to start the season, so I’m excited to see what they can do tonight.
3. Watch out for Sean Couturier
His line, featuring Oskar Lindblom and Travis Konecny on the wings, is nothing short of spectacular. In ~85 minutes of ice, they have out-attempted opponents 97-51 and out-chanced them 44-25. Insanely good numbers at both ends of the rink. If I’m John Hynes, I’m using last change to my advantage and making sure the top line avoids Couturier like the plague. Dating back to 2017-18, Hall has seen ~50 minutes of Couturier. The Flyers have out-scored the Devils 5-0 in that time.
4. An elite PK
Barring a parade to the penalty box, or horrible goaltending, the Devils probably can’t bank on a ton of power play success in this one. The Flyers are perhaps the league’s best team at killing penalties. At least they have been thus far. No team is allowing fewer shot attempts, shots on goal, or scoring chances on the PK than the Flyers are. While the Devils have played better on the man advantage of late, I’m not sure I’d bet on them being the team to solve the Flyers’ PK.
5. Time to step up
Taylor Hall has not played up to the level he is capable of this season. That’s not to say he’s been bad, but he can certainly be better. Couple a somewhat disappointing start (by his standards, anyway) with recent comments about the team also battling Devils fans, which unsurprisingly rubbed some people the wrong way, and he’s on some thin ice right now. You know what would get everyone back in his corner? Strong performances and wins. Let’s see it.
Here are the projected lineups:
New Jersey
Taylor Hall - Jack Hughes - Kyle Palmieri
Pavel Zacha - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Blake Coleman - Travis Zajac - Wayne Simmonds
Miles Wood - Kevin Rooney - John Hayden
Damon Severson - P.K. Subban
Andy Greene - Sami Vatanen
Will Butcher - Matt Tennyson
Mackenzie Blackwood
Philadelphia
James van Riemsdyk - Claude Giroux - Jakub Voracek
Oskar Lindblom - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny
Michael Raffl - Kevin Hayes - Joel Farabee
Carsen Twarnyski - German Rubstov - Chris Stewart
Ivan Provorov - Matt Niskanen
Shayne Gostisbehere - Justin Braun
Travis Sanheim - Philippe Myers
Carter Hart
Puck drop is just after 7:00 p.m. and can be seen on MSG+2, NBCSP, and TVAS.
numbers via naturalstattrick.com
Recent Posts
Goaltending sinks Devils in wild game against Lightning
The Devils should change the way they play
Are the Devils after Mark Pysyk?
Predicting the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Final
Hall, Devils making traction towards contract extension
Predicting the Metro Division standings in 2019-20
Bold Metro Division predictions for 2019-20
Who will win the Hart Trophy in 2019-20?
Who will win the Calder Trophy in 2019-20?