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Five things to watch when the New Jersey Devils take on the Boston Bruins:
1. Offensive woes
The Devils have scored two goals or fewer in 10 of the last 13 games, which is not exactly surprising given the personnel they're working with right now. While the effort is there on many nights, the execution simply is not. They just don't have the talent to capitalize even when they manage to generate quality chances, thus the putrid goal output. Unfortunately, things are unlikely to get any better tonight against the Bruins. They're a sound defensive team playing perhaps their best hockey of the season. Over the last 10 games, the Bruins have allowed just 46.55 attempts and 22.85 chances per 60 minutes of 5v5 play. For perspective, the Devils have averaged 48.47 attempts and 22.09 chances for per 60 during the same span. In other words, the Bruins have been so strong defensively that their opponents generated shots and chances at only the same clip as a Devils team with Kenny Agostino and Kevin Rooney serving as the most threatening offensive duo. I'm not optimistic about New Jersey's chances of mustering up much in this one.
2. Travis and the Texans
Travis Baejac, Blake Coleman, and Stefan Noesen have played truly fantastic defensive hockey in their time together. Dating back to last season, the Devils have allowed only 51.81 attempts, 20.4 chances, and 1.61 goals per 60 minutes with them on the ice. If their strong play continues and they can slow down Boston's top line – much easier said than done, I know – I think the Devils can keep this one close. With Charlie Coyle in the top-6 and Marcus Johansson out, they really don't have a lot of scoring depth or offensive balance in their lineup. They need the big guns to produce.
3. A goaltending duel
Cory Schneider has come a long way. So much so that we can predict a game he starts will turn into a goaltending duel without being laughed at. Since a successful relief appearance February 15th in Minnesota, the veteran netminder has been spectacular. He has posted a .934 save percentage and won five of his 10 appearances, which is quite the achievement considering the state of the Devils.
Be it Jaroslav Halak (.936 5v5 SV%, 3rd among 52 eligible goaltenders) or Tuukka Rask (.929 5v5 SV%, 13/52) the Bruins have a quality starter more than capable of matching Schneider and shutting down the Devils' underwhelming attack.
4. Attacking on the PK
The Devils are very aggressive on the penalty kill regardless of the personnel they trot out on any given night. It's hard to argue they shouldn't be given their ability to not only prevent goals but score them (just Calgary and Arizona have more shorties this season). I wouldn't be surprised if they're able to make some noise in this one. They certainly are in a good spot to do so, as Boston has allowed more chances than anyone and only Pittsburgh's conceded more goals while up a man.
5. Another debut
Josh Jacobs has been recalled from Binghamton and will make his NHL debut in place of the ill Will Butcher. The 23-year-old defender sits *checks notes* 17th on the B-Devs in scoring with 12 points in 60 games so it's probably safe to assume he's not going to bring much offense to the table. It's worth noting, however, Jacobs ranks 2nd among B-Devs defenders in estimated goals against/60. Perhaps he can bring some stability to the back end.
Here are the projected lineups.
New Jersey Devils
Blake Coleman - Travis Zajac - Stefan Noesen
Kenny Agostino - Kevin Rooney - Joey Anderson
Drew Stafford - Pavel Zacha - Blake Pietila
Eric Tangradi - Michael McLeod - Kurtis Gabriel
Andy Greene - Damon Severson
Connor Carrick - Steven Santini
Egor Yakovlev - Josh Jacobs
Cory Schneider
Boston (via DailyFaceoff.com)
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Charlie Coyle
Danton Heinen - Sean Kuraly - Chris Wagner
Joakim Nordstrom - Noel Acciari - David Backes
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy
Brandon Carlo - John Moore
Steve Kampfer - Connor Clifton
Jaroslav Halak/Tuukka Rask
Puck drop is just after 7:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on MSG+, NESN, and (in Canada) every SN imaginable.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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