Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

G18 New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins: Open things up

November 15, 2019, 12:10 PM ET [109 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell

Here are five things to watch when the New Jersey Devils take on the Pittsburgh Penguins:

1. Limited chances

When you think of the Penguins, a stout defensive team with opportunistic scoring is not what comes to mind. That’s reality – at least this year. The Penguins give up fewer shot attempts/60 than every team in the league at 5v5. They’re 2nd when it comes to limiting chances and expected goals. While their blueline may not be loaded with household names, or anything close, they play very structured team defense and that’s what allows them to be successful when Sidney Crosby and/or Evgeni Malkin are out, or when their power play goes through struggles.

Given the way things have gone thus far, the Pens are probably one of the last teams the Devils want to run into right now. Despite all the off-season additions they made, and a healthy Taylor Hall back in the mix, the Devils rank dead last in attempts/60 and 30th in chances/60. Generating on a consistent basis has been, uh, difficult and I’m not sure they’ll be able to flip the switch against Pittsburgh.

2. Pushing the pace

I know I talk about pace a lot. I think the Devils would be smart to ramp things up and play to the more offensive-minded personnel they have. That applies generally, but especially against Pittsburgh. They want to play slow, defensive minded hockey. Injuries to Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang only add to the importance of doing so. The Devils have to find a way to force the Pens out of their comfort zone and trade some chances. I think it’s fair to say their forward group tonight is a lot more talented than Pittsburgh’s. Take advantage of that. Don’t force offense-first players like Taylor Hall, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nikita Gusev and co. to play a way they’re not meant to.

3. Jesper Boqvist’s return

Boqvist is expected to be back in the lineup in a top-6 role this evening. After a very strong preseason, and couple games to start the season, his play has really hit a wall. Jumping in and out of the lineup probably doesn’t help, nor does being used sparingly when dressed. That said, he still needs to be much better if he wants to hold a spot. The Devils have been out-chanced 26-11 with Boqvist on the ice over his last four games played. Individually, he mustered up just one opportunity during that stretch. This is a good opportunity for him tonight. He needs to take advantage of it.

4. Surprising struggles

Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin are both fantastic players. For whatever reason, they just haven’t meshed well together. They haven’t spent a ton of time as a duo – Guentzel generally rides shotgun with Sidney Crosby – but the returns leave a lot to be desired. Dating back a couple of years, they’ve posted a 44.38 Expected Goals For% and been out-scored 14-8 (36.36 GF%) in ~175 minutes together. Their defensive rate stats are particularly putrid. Perhaps using the Taylor Hall line to fight fire with fire could work out.

5. The danger zone

Jordan Binnington. Ben Bishop. Carey Price. Those are the only three workhorse goaltenders with a better high-danger save percentage than Matt Murray (.852) in the early going. The Penguins don’t give up many Grade A looks and Murray is up to the task when they do. Again, the Devils really need to push the pace and try to generate some volume tonight. A low-event game against a team that excels in them is probably not a recipe for success.

Here are the projected lineups:

New Jersey

Taylor Hall - Jack Hughes - Kyle Palmieri
Jesper Boqvist - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Nikita Gusev - Travis Zajac - Blake Coleman
Miles Wood - Pavel Zacha - Wayne Simmonds

Will Butcher - P.K. Subban
Andy Greene - Damon Severson
Mirco Mueller - Matt Tennyson

Mackenzie Blackwood

Pittsburgh

Jake Guentzel - Evgeni Malkin - Bryan Rust
Alex Galchenyuk - Nick Bjugstad - Sam Lafferty
Dominik Kahun - Jared McCann - Dominik Simon
Zach Aston-Reese - Teddy Blueger - Brandon Tanev

Brian Dumolin - John Marino
Marcus Pettersson - Justin Schultz
Jack Johnson - Juuso Riikola

Matt Murray

Puck drop is just after 7:00 p.m. and can be seen on MSG+, SN and ATTSN-PT.

numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com

Recent Posts

Senators 4, Devils 2: Not good enough

Blackwood holds the fort in win over Canucks

On improved 5v5 play, misplaced Wood hate, and the addition of Domingue

Are the Devils after Mark Pysyk?

Predicting the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Final

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?
Join the Discussion: » 109 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Todd Cordell
» Thank you
» On the Chayka rumors and finalists for the Devils' GM job
» Notes on quotes from Lindy Ruff's appearance on 31 Thoughts
» The New Jersey Devils may not have hired the coach they wanted
» Notes on quotes from Ruff, Fitzgerald, and Devils ownership