Whether you want to watch the New Jersey Devils play in their home game on Saturday or you are just interested in how to predict the lineup, there are a few different factors to consider. Here are some of the main variables to look at.
Washington Capitals
Getting your New Jersey Devils lineup right on Saturday may be a challenging task. With several key players out of the picture, including top defensemen Tom Wilson and Connor Brown, and forwards Nicklas Backstrom and Carl Hagelin, there is no guarantee that the team will be as strong as it was earlier in the season.
The good news is that the Devils have looked like one of the best teams in the NHL so far this season. The defense ranks first in expected goals against per 60 minutes, while the forwards have produced over a point per game in each of the last five games.
In the first game of this three-game homestand, the Devils won 5-1 over the Capitals. The Capitals had some very creative attacks in the first period, but the Devils managed to limit the chances. The Capitals did score at 14:47 of the second period, but the Devils regained the lead at 5:59.
New York Islanders
Whether you’re looking to predict the New Jersey Devils lineup for their home game on Saturday, there are a few things you need to consider. First of all, the Devils are a team that can score a lot. This season, they have a league-leading 19-2-1 record and are tied for the lead in the NHL with 21 wins in 26 games.
You can also look at their power play success rate. In 23.8% of all 5-on-5 situations, the Islanders have scored at least one goal, a number that’s above the league median. That’s a good thing, especially for the Devils’ penalty kill.
Another area to watch is their speed. A lot of their offensive production comes from their speed. They have scored 37 goals during their nine-game winning streak, including a four-goal game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
They have five forwards who have a goal and an assist. These include Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, Mat Barzal and Zach Parise. That’s a stacked line, and the Devils can take advantage of it.
Calgary Flames
Despite losing a couple of their most important players, the New Jersey Devils have started the season on a high note. After four games, the team has an impressive 20-goal scoring streak. They have also excelled on the penalty kill. They rank seventh in the league in that category.
The Devils are also putting together a 60-minute effort every time they play. That’s something the Flames haven’t had much of lately. They have a chance to break their five-game losing streak. But they need to start fast.
The Flames haven’t scored many power play goals over the last two games, so that’s one reason to be cautious. However, they’re also shooting high percentages, with a 2.84 expected goals rate.
The Devils will need to keep a close eye on the Flames’ blue line. They’ve been leaving goaltender Karel Vejmelka to dry. He has a 3.81 GAA.
The New Jersey forward unit should take advantage of open shots with good puck movement. They should also work hard to grind out opportunities from deep.
Philly Devils
Getting a good idea of how to predict the New Jersey Devils lineup for their home game on Saturday is important. After all, it will be the team’s last appearance before the regular season. That means they will have to find a way to make up for their recent injuries. Also, the impact of players on the bubble could be affected by the team’s performance.
The Devils have been efficient on defense this season, leading the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes at 5v5. That line is led by Jonas Siegenthaler and Vitek Vanecek. They have allowed just two or fewer goals in four of their last five starts.
The Devils have been a real threat on offense, though, with a total of 27 points on the board through Thanksgiving. They have the top PK in the NHL at 86.8 percent, but three of their seven disallowed goals came against Our Hated Rivals, including a controversial hit on Joel Farabee. They haven’t lost since October 24, though, and have won 14 of their last 15 games.
YK
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