Here are my quick hits following the 4 Nations Break, heading into tonight’s game vs. DAL:
Final 25 Games
Well, I hope everyone is rested and recharged from a 14-day break from Devils hockey because, yes, we’re jumping right back in the deep end this weekend with two games in 24 hours! This back-to-back set, vs. DAL tonight and in NSH tomorrow, starts a 25-game stretch that will take us up to the end of the regular season. (…I know, only 25 left already!). For me, it’s all about hitting that reset button after that 8-9-3 20-game stretch coming out of the Christmas break. This team now has to show growth — that’s the main narrative we heard from HC Keefe during that tough stretch — and there is no better opportunity to show growth than by playing dominant hockey through this upcoming stretch of games. (Which, in fact, are laid out in a nearly identical schedule to that of the first 6 games returning from the Christmas break!)
Rachel and I will break this all down in-depth on tonight’s pregame show, but looking bigger picture, it’s going to take .500+ hockey at a minimum — ideally, .640+ hockey — to give yourself a strong chance at a playoff berth based on the last 3 seasons. It’s all going to start with players getting hot, special teams and goaltending being a consistent strength, and guys staying healthy down the stretch to make it happen!
DAL Pre-Scout
I like this test for the Devils right out of the gate tonight, as they'll be tasked with a DAL team that forces you to bring your best and are strong in just about every facet of the game. Yes, that includes their #1 ranked PK, which has been a perfect 8/8 through four games in February so far. Heading into the break, the Stars were 7-2-1 in their last 10 GP and capped off this stretch with an 8-3 W in SJS, in which a season-high 15 different skaters recorded points. So, just like the Devils, the Stars were able to take that all-important feel-good W into the break.
What's been impressive in this stretch, though, has been the way DAL has stepped up with No. 1 D Miro Heiskanen out of the lineup due to injury (and remains on IR alongside Tyler Seguin), as they’ve found a way to go 3-1-1 with a +8 Goal DIFF in his 5-game absence thus far. Whenever a team is able to galvanize themselves around that next-man-up mentality like this with heart and soul superstars out of the lineup, they instantly become more dangerous. That’s why, we said it before the MTL game and will say it again: It’ll be critical that the Devils come out with urgency and desperation to dictate this game tonight. You can’t afford to come out flat or feel things out; with 25 games left, it’s go time from here on out!!!
Be sure to tune in tonight to our pregame show as Rachel and I discuss the 4 Nations tournament, the Metro & Eastern Conference playoff race, Captain Nico’s return from injury, the last 25 games ahead, and tonight’s game vs. DAL. Remember, coverage starts at 5:30 p.m. this evening ahead of the 6 p.m. puck drop!
Let’s Go Devils!
-Sal
