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G4 Preview: Devils @ Islanders 10/20 |
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Good afternoon Devils fans. The Devils (1-1-1) take on the New York Islanders (2-0-0) on the road. The puck drops at 7:30 at UBS Arena. Here are the projected lines from the Devils and Islanders:
Devils Lines (Per Amanda Stein, 10/19 Practice):
Toffoli-J. Hughes-Meier
Palat-Hischier-Bratt
Mercer-Mcleod-Holtz
Tierney-Lazar-Bastian
Sieganthaler-Hamilton
Bahl-Marino
Smith-L. Hughes
Vanacek
Schmid
Injuries (Excluding LTIR): Nosek, Haula, Kinkaid
Islanders Lines (Per Daily Faceoff):
Barzal-Horvat-Holmstrom
Engvall-Nelson-Palmieri
Lee-Pageau-Fasching
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
Pelech-Dobson
Romanov-Pulock
Bolduck-Aho
Sorokin
Varlamov
Injuries (Excluding LTIR): Mayfield
3 Keys to Today’s Game:
1. New Lines, New Vibe
Between injuries to the bottom 6 and frustrations with top 6 production, HC Lindy Ruff looks to shake things up with new lines. Bratt and Hughes will be split with the hope that their hot start to the season can help ignite new linemates Meier and Hischier. Toffoli has earned himself top line minutes, something that has produced dividends for him in his banner year last season. Mcleod has been promoted to 3rd center. Special teams have also been rearranged with new units:
PP1: Toffoli, Bratt, J. Hughes, Hischier, L. Hughes
PP2: Meier, Palat, Mercer, Holtz, Hamilton
With these changes, look for some awkwardness at game speed decisions to start off the game but possibly new, fun, and creative offense opportunities, if hopes can be believed.
2. Unlock the Weakness of Sorokin
The Devils did well for themselves in the preseason against the Isles, winning both games. In those two games, the Devils scored 9 against the Russian netminder. Fast forward to today and Sorokin is leading the team with a 1.00 GAA and a save percentage of .952 to boot. I know it’s early in the season, but those are not numbers to scoff at as the Islander defense looks to support his strong play. The Devils focus should be puck management and speed, creating pockets to attack Sorokin and get on the board. Score multiple times against him and his confidence will shake.
3. The Road is an Old Friend
Some teams fear away games, hostile road fans, and leaving their home base. The Devils are not one of them. The Black and Red won the 2nd most road wins last season at 28, behind Boston’s 31. Playing as the away team could end up being a fresh change for the Devils who look to shake off early season struggles. While we’re on the subject of that, I do think we should have a balanced approach to the results so far. Yes, they have been lackluster and not what we would want, starting out of the gate. However, if last season taught us anything, the first few games are not indicative of future trends and rocky starts can lead to strong finishes.
What are your thoughts? Views on the lines and units? Predictions for tonight?
Leave your thoughts and comments below. Raise Hell,
-Josh Biringer
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
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