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G45 New Jersey Devils vs Chicago Blackhawks: Five things to watch

January 14, 2019, 10:32 AM ET [38 Comments]
Todd Cordell
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Five things to watch when the New Jersey Devils take on the Chicago Blackhawks:

1. Poor defensive play

I expect this to be a very high-event affair. Not necessarily due to the firepower in the game – there isn't *that* much – but rather each side's defensive prowess, or lack thereof.

Chicago has been horrendous without the puck all season long. They've taken it up a notch of late, though. Over the last 10 games, they rank last in shot attempts, chances, and high-danger chances against/60. They can't defend a lick.

New Jersey's chance suppression numbers are better during that stretch, although not great in terms of high-danger, but they're just as bad when it comes to bleeding shots. They're giving up 62.46 per 60, which is only .13 fewer than the Blackhawks.

I expect to see plenty of defensive breakdowns, and quality chances, for both sides in this game.

2. Mac Black

Death, taxes, and quality starts from Mackenzie Blackwood. After a splendid performance vs the Flyers on Saturday, Blackwood's save percentage has risen to .947 through nine games. He's won four of six real starts (one he left early with an injury) and picked up two shutouts in that span, which is quite the accomplishment for a rookie playing behind a highly mediocre team missing its best player in Taylor Hall.

With the defense the way it is, it feels like he needs to bring his 'A' game every night for the Devils to have a shot. The numbers back that up.

On average, he's faced 34 shots per night. Only once (25 vs Vancouver) has Blackwood been tested fewer times than that.

The Devils are asking a lot of him and he continues to answer the bell. We'll see if that's the case again tonight vs a Chicago team that, for all its faults, is pretty good at putting the puck in the net.

3. Blake Coleman's role

With Hall out of the lineup, the Devils have asked Coleman to take on a bigger role offensively. He has done just that. In nine games sans Hall, Coleman has recorded four goals, 24 chances, 26 shots, and 45 attempts at 5v5. He is tied for 1st on the team, or alone on top, in each of those categories. Perhaps he'll finally be rewarded with some time on the power play.

4. A great power play spot

Chicago can't defend at 5v5 so it should be no surprise they're also putrid while shorthanded. On the year, they rank 28th in attempts against/60, 29th in chances against/60, and 30th in goals against/60.

New Jersey's power play has struggled of late – understandably so – but this is a really good spot for them to right the ship.

5. An underrated threat

Keep your eye on Erik Gustafsson in this one. His defensive play could certainly use some work but he's really dangerous with the puck. Over the last 15 games, he's piled up 17 points and 62 shot attempts. He has recorded at least a point in eight consecutive games. Though Duncan Keith and, to a lesser extent, Brent Seabrook bring the name recognition, it is Gustafsson (and Henri Jokiharju, who has a real bright future) the Devils should be most worried about.

Here are the projected lineups.

New Jersey Devils

Marcus Johansson - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri
Miles Wood - Travis Zajac - Blake Coleman
Jesper Bratt - Pavel Zacha - Drew Stafford
Brian Boyle - Brett Seney - Blake Pietila

Andy Greene - Damon Severson
Will Butcher - Sami Vatanen
Mirco Mueller - Ben Lovejoy

Mackenzie Blackwood

Chicago (via DailyFaceoff.com)

Alex DeBrincat - Jonathan Toews - Dominik Kahun
Artem Anisimov - Dylan Strome - Patrick Kane
Brandon Saad - David Kampf - Drake Caggiula
Chris Kunitz - Marcus Kruger - John Hayden

Duncan Keith - Erik Gustafsson
Henri Jokiharju - Brent Seabrook
Carl Dahlstrom - Connor Murphy

Collin Delia

Puck drop is just after 7:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on MSG+ and NBCSCH.

Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com and Corsica.Hockey

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