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Five things to watch when the New Jersey Devils take on the Boston Bruins:
1. Polar opposites
To say the two sides play contrasting styles would be an understatement. For better or for worse, the Devils play fast, high-event hockey. Though they're not necessarily great at finishing chances, their speed helps them generate quite a few of them. They can be prone to giving a lot back with glaring defensive breakdowns at the other end of the rink, which is why they rank 3rd in 5v5 Expected Goal pace (5.26 per 60).
The Bruins are quite the opposite. They create opportunities by sustaining pressure in the offensive zone and wearing teams down. They're a half-court team, not a fast break team, which limits their exposure defensively. Without the puck, they are patient, positionally sound, and they try to smother you. Add it all up and it's no surprise they sit 31st in xG pace (4.26 per 60, a full goal below the Devils).
The side that dictates pace to the opposition will likely have an advantage. With Taylor Hall and Marcus Johansson expected out, it seems things are playing into Boston's hands.
2. Mackenzie Blackwood
Blackwood's NHL career is off to an encouraging start. He has stopped 53 of 57 (.930SV%) through three appearances while going up against the high-powered offenses of Toronto and Columbus.
Combine the flashes he's shown with the fact poor goaltending is a key reason the Devils sit last in the Eastern Conference and it makes a lot of sense to give him more opportunity moving forward, which is what the coaching staff plans on doing. The ball is in his court now. Let's see what he can do with it.
3. A good power play spot
New Jersey has not played well on the power play in recent weeks. One might even say they've played poorly. The good news: this is as good of a spot as any for that to change.
Boston ranks 29th in Corsi Against/60 *and* Expected Goals Against/60 while down a man. The absences of Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara factored in, no doubt, but it's still surprising to see they've struggled to that extent – especially when you consider their defense has been stout at 5v5.
Perhaps with some time to regroup, and perhaps make adjustments, New Jersey's power play can take advantage.
4. Time to step up
Despite Miles Wood's disappointing output, I don't think he's played that poorly this season – particularly of late. Over the last nine games, he leads the Devils in shot attempts (36), shots on goal (25), and high-danger chances (11) at 5v5. He is generating chances, he just can't get them to go. Part of that is a lack of natural finishing ability but he's also been very unlucky. With Hall and Johansson out of the lineup, now would be a good time for the tide to turn.
5. A familiar face
Tonight the Devils will square off against John Moore for the first time since he departed the team in free agency. While Damon Severson has fared well without Moore, the latter is up to his usual tricks with the Bruins.
Among 10 defenders to play 100+ minutes at 5v5 for the Bruins, Moore ranks 9th in Corsi For%, Scoring Chance For%, and Goals For% relative to the team without him.
His individual production, if we'll call it that, has not made up for the poor on-ice numbers. He is averaging just .43 points per 60 at 5v5, which ties him with fan favorite Ben Lovejoy.
New Jersey's best chance of creating offense is when he's on the ice.
Here are the projected lineups.
New Jersey Devils
Jesper Bratt - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri
Miles Wood - Pavel Zacha - Stefan Noesen
Blake Coleman - Travis Zajac - John Quenneville
Brian Boyle - Brett Seney - Drew Stafford
Andy Greene - Damon Severson
Steven Santini - Sami Vatanen
Will Butcher - Ben Lovejoy
Mackenzie Blackwood
Boston (via DailyFaceoff.com)
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Danton Heinen - David Krejci - Jake DeBrusk
Ryan Donato - Colby Cave - David Backes
Joakim Nordstrom - Sean Kuraly - Chris Wagner
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Zdeno Chara - Matt Grzelcyk
John Moore - Kevan Miller
Jaroslav Halak
Puck drop is just after 7:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on MSG, NESN, SN360, SNO and SNE.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com and Corsica.Hockey
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