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Five takeaways from New Jersey vs New York:
1. The top line was dynamic once again
No matter what combination of skilled forwards John Hynes elects to use on the top line, it continues to get the job done offensively. Last night was just another example.
Nikita Gusev, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt made up by far the team’s most dangerous line throughout. It wasn’t even close, really. They looked as if they’ve been playing together for years. Their passing was good, they were really connected driving through the neutral zone, and it felt like almost every good chance the Devils had came from one of the three.
The top line contributed to both goals the team scored at 5v5 and on the power play. There were some close misses, too, such as when Gusev rifled one off the post.
It sure seems like the Devils are going to have two No. 1 lines this year.
2. Cory Schneider stole the show
Schnieder’s play continues to be one of the biggest – the biggest? – storylines for the Devils in preseason. If they’re going to make noise this year, they need him to be drastically better than he was over the last couple of years. What we’ve seen thus far is extremely encouraging.
Schneider posted a .936 save percentage over his first two split appearances. His play didn’t falter at all over the course of a full game, as he stopped 42 of 45 (.933SV%) against the Islanders while stealing the Devils a win they had no business getting.
The Islanders recorded 25 more shots on goal and 10 more scoring chances, besting the Devils in both categories all three periods. It was clear they were the better team, especially as the game wore on.
Schneider made sure that didn’t matter.
3. Ty Smith is not doing himself favors
The other day I defended Smith, pointing out his on-ice results weren’t as bad as the eye-test would have you think. That...was far from the case last night. He noticeably struggled vs the Islanders by any measure.
He spent the majority of his shifts on the backfoot in the defensive zone. There, he did make his share of mistakes – such as leaving Mathew Barzal unmarked in front of the net for a gimme goal.
Smith finished with an abysmal 31.58 Corsi For% and 14.27 Expected Goals For% at 5v5. Unsurprisingly, each total was worst among all defenders. Not just on the Devils, but in the game.
He really needs to step his game in the coming weeks or he’ll be heading back to the WHL.
4. Jesper Boqvist did what he needed to do
There aren’t many forward spots up for grabs and Boqvist can’t play in the AHL this year. If the Devils are going to keep him around, he *really* has to make an impression and erase any doubt that’s the best move.
Last night’s performance is exactly the kind of performance the Devils wanted to see from him. Boqvist recorded a team-leading four scoring chances and netted a pair of goals on the power play.
Boqvist also finished 3rd on the team in xGF% at 5v5. It’s not like he picked up two goals playing on a stacked PP and was otherwise useless. He played well.
5. Miles Wood looks lost
I don’t know if he thinks he has a job locked up and is going through the motions – or is somewhat choking under the pressure of real competition – but I have not liked what I’ve seen from Wood this far. At all. And you all know I’m a big Miles Wood fan, so it’s not fun to rip the guy.
To this point, 33 players have appeared in multiple games for the Devils. Wood ranks dead last with a 33.87 CF% and sits in xGF (28.11%). He’s also sporting a cool minus-3 goal differential at 5v5.
What’s especially concerning is Wood’s not really getting to the net and creating chances. Finishing them can be an issue at times. Generating them usually isn’t. Wood has just three in 41 minutes of play, though, which equates to ~5 per 60. His worst regular season output is 7.97 per 60.
I know this is a small sample size, Wood has ever-changing linemates, etc, etc. but his play to date has been concerning to say the least. If he was waivers exempt, or made less money, I honestly think his spot would be in real jeopardy right now.
He’ll be given every chance to come out of this, though. Let’s hope he does.
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