Here are my quick hits following the Devils’ 5-1 L in COL, heading into the first-ever game in Utah tonight:
Let Jake Down
We talked about in the pregame show that the Avs would be a hungry team, seeing they were coming off back-to-back losses and playing in their first home game since Feb. 2. But boy, when Rachel and I talked about this and the importance of managing the altitude change early, I can’t sit here and say we expected to see the level of pace we saw from COL in their start to this game. Quite frankly, that was the fastest start I’ve seen from any team against the Devils this season. Now, I give the Devils (especially Jake Allen) credit; they survived the blitz and kept it a one-goal game. Yet again, though, it was the same story in this loss: The Devils found themselves unable to get Jake the goal support he needed, and it ended up unraveling into a 5-1 L.
Needing Goal Support
Rachel and I will deep dive into this during tonight’s pregame show, but I want to talk a little more about how critical it will be that goal support starts to come up and down the lineup in these final 22 games. Look, by no means have I disliked the Devils’ process since the 4 Nations break, but in order to start getting results, they’re going to need guys (other than Jack!) to get hot at the right time here and start buying the puck at a much, much greater rate. 
In the last 10 games, Jack is scoring a league-high 31.0% (9/29) of the team’s goals - including 7 that have come in the 3rd period or OT, which is a credit to how important these goals have been. With the Devils ranked 5th worst in the league based on PTS% (.457) since the holiday break, it’s no coincidence the team is scoring goals at the 5th lowest rate (2.45 Goals/GP) in this span. Yes, that needs to turn itself around quickly here in order for this team to reach a sustained level of success down the stretch, with .500+ hockey the rest of the way being the historic bare minimum for the Devils to make the playoffs as we currently stand.
Thinking optimistically, I think Timo is the most likely candidate to snap out of his 8-game goal drought and start finding the back of the net consistently here in the month of March. The reality is that, yes, Timo has struggled to execute on his chances most of this season — his 15 goals through his first 60 GP are his lowest since 2017-18. But it’s important to keep in mind that the rate of expected goals he’s generated is right on his career average; again, he’s just not finishing his chances. So, hopefully, that changes starting tonight — because if the Devils can get anything close to the version Timo Meier that scored a league-leading 13 goals in 15 GP last March, it’s going to provide a tremendous boost to this team. (Meier March Madness, Season 2?!)
UTA Pre-Scout
I’m pumped for our call tonight of the Devils’ first-ever game in Utah, which will be equally a great test for this team as it will be a memorable, historic night. Entering tonight, this is a UTA team that is not only just 2 PTS out of a playoff spot and fighting for their lives in their franchise's inaugural season - but also looking to close out a perfect 4-0-0 homestand with a W tonight. I talked about the Devils lacking goal support as of late, and tonight certainly won’t get any easier. UTA, coming off a 6-1 W vs. MIN, has only conceded one (!) even-strength goal in their three games on this home stand so far, all while giving up just 18.0 shots/GP. On top of that, they've gotten outstanding goaltending (a .944 Sv%) from Karl Vejmelka, who will start tonight against Nico Daws. It’s going to be as tough of a test as it gets, but the hope is the Devils can expose the fact that UTA has struggled to defend the rush (ranked #21) and on their PK recently, being just 57.1% (8/21) over its last 6 GP.
Regardless of where the offense comes from, you have to find a way to break through and score some goals for Dawsy tonight!
Be sure to join Rachel and me for our pregame show tonight as we recap the loss to COL and the last meeting with UTA. We’ll also break down the Devils’ goaltending situation, the remaining 22 games, and the need for goal support down the stretch before previewing tonight’s first-ever game in Salt Lake City. It all starts at 8:30 p.m. on MSGSN!
Let’s Go Devils
-Sal
Here are some graphics from Wednesday night's broadcast!
