DEVILS vs BLUE JACKETS | PRE-SCOUT | GAME #28

Hey, Devils Fans!

Wednesday night’s win over BOS was tremendous. Although it took the Devils a period or two to find their legs following the West Coast trip, Vitek was strong enough to keep it a one-goal game. It’s gutsy efforts like these that should get the team going with the next 5 of 6 games on home ice!

Moving forward to this weekend, the Devils have another one of their league-high 16 back-to-back sets on the season. They'll take on the Blue Jackets in Colombus tonight, then open their 5-game homestand tomorrow night with the Ducks in town.Tonight is the Devils' annual “Dads & Mentors” trip!This is always a fun tradition for the players and their fathers, but, it's always better with a win. Last season, the trip was to PIT (Dec. 30, 2022). That night, the Devils picked up a 4-2 W, courtesy of a shorthanded GWG from Nico (as part of the 9/9 PK on the night!) and a stellar .926 SV% from Vitek.

Hopefully, the Devils can come away with another memorable win for their dads tonight.As for tonight's matchup, the Devils will need to continue to win games on the road, following their successful 3-0-1 road trip out west last week. CBJ is coming off a rather dramatic 6-5 OTW in TOR — they became the first team in NHL history to win a game after surrendering a five-goal, third-period deficit.

Building off that stat, a big storyline surrounding this game is that the Devils, leading the league in comeback wins (10), are taking on CBJ, the league leaders in blown lead losses (15). Of course, the irony here is that the first meeting between these two teams, back at Prudential Center on Nov. 24, ended with CBJ protecting their one-goal lead in the third period and handing the Devils a regulation loss.Tonight, the Devils cannot afford to take this Jackets team for granted once again. Yes, this is a team towards the bottom of the league. And, yes, they are going to be without some of their top guns in Patrik Laine, Boone Jenner, Jack Roslovic, Damon Severson, and Adam Boqvist. Regardless, the Devils have to come into tonight’s game and respect the Blue Jackets. As the Devils have learned on a couple of occasions already this season, there are no easy nights in this league.

The back-to-back this weekend features two teams inside the bottom four PTS% in the NHL; It's nights like these that are some of the most dangerous — Do not take the weekend off!
When you look at CBJ, yes, they’re toward the bottom of the league in most categories, both offensively and defensively. Again, though, you cannot be the victim of another “dangerous game” against a weaker team.Yes, CBJ’s PP, led by former Devils’ assistant coach Mark Recchi, is down in the bottom third in the league; their expected goals 2nd worst in the league. Impressively, though, the PP is clicking at 50% (4 for 8) in their last 5 home games.
 
As for CBJ's PK, they’ve had success this season, currently ranked 7th in the NHL. In the last 10 home games, they’ve been very efficient at 87%, so, with the Devils’ PP 0/11 in the last 4 games, the Devils' PP does not look to be matching up well against CBJ’s PK tonight.

Between the pipes, the Devils may have dodged a bullet with Elvis Merzlikins getting the night off. He was exceptional in the first matchup, absolutely robbing the game for his team (.974 SV% and saved 2 goals above expected). In his career as a whole, Elvis has stood on his head against NJD, posting a .924 SV% in 6 career starts (T-#4 best vs. any team) and an even better .943 SV% in 3 starts vs. the Devils at home.

After battling back from a knee injury, CBJ will give 24-year-old Daniil Tarasov his first start of the season, with Merzlikins watching from above.The Devils need to come into tonight’s matchup with the mindset that they’re desperate for 2 PTS. A win would be a perfect early holiday gift for the dads and mentors!
-Sal