Tough one vs. BUF on Sunday, but a huge one coming up on the Island tonight! Let's go into the Christmas break on a W!!!
JACK’S RETURN
It’s too bad the Devils didn’t get the win, but for Jack to immediately come in and score this BEAUTY will go a long way for his psyche, especially coming back from a hand-related injury. Talk about instantly rising to the occasion with everyone fired up to have you back in the lineup...
HUGE GAME TONIGHT
A critical four-point divisional game, on top of the fact that both teams will be desperate to take a W into the Christmas break... Boy, the Devils have to be ready to start on time again tonight and bring their A-Game for a full 60 minutes in front of Marky, because the emotions are going to be running extra high in this one.
As a player, this is one of those nights every year that just feel a little extra important. Nobody wants to wake up on Christmas morning and find anything but 2 PTS from this game under their tree! 🎄
LINE CHANGES
You can’t spell PB&J without ‘P’, and Pally has truly been the bread that makes this sandwich so delicious. 🥪
In the 18 games Jack has played, he has 94:51 5v5 TOI alongside both Bratter and Pally, and this trio has combined for 7 total Goals. On the flip side, in a similar sample without Pally (89:10 5v5 TOI), Jack and Bratter have only been able to generate 1 Goal with a different linemate.
I'm so glad this sandwich is back on the menu tonight, and I can’t wait to watch the ABC Line get back to work, as well!! 💪
Great to see that the PB&J sandwich is back on the menu! https://t.co/UMP06yphvX
— Bryce Salvador (@brycesalvador) December 23, 2025
100%!! https://t.co/MOJccvwzZM
— Bryce Salvador (@brycesalvador) December 23, 2025
NO FINISH
Both NYI and NJD enter tonight having scored no more than 2 Goals in each of their previous 4 GP, and, as seen in the graphic below, the lack of finish has been a consistent theme that's plagued these two teams throughout the majority of this season.
Both teams are well overdue for an offensive explosion before the break, so, I just hope it is the Devils that come through with their first 6-spot of the season tonight, while Marky shuts the door between the pipes!
DAVID RITTICH
Well, the Devils avoided arguably the best goaltender in the league with Ilya Sorokin out tonight due to a nagging injury. But, they’re not getting off the hook easy, by any means, as David Rittich is right up there with Sorokin at the top of the league in terms of the percentage of games he’s stealing (33.3%; T-#2) and his Inner-Slot Sv% (.830; #13).
And, on top of that, Rittich has won 5 of his 6 career starts against the Devils... You can’t make tonight easy for him!!
Tune into tonight's pregame show as Rachel and I are joined by Cory to talk all things goaltending, NJD's 8-game stretch going into the break, and some keys to capping it off with a W tonight!
Merry Christmas, everyone! 🎅
-Sal
Here are some additional graphics from Sunday night's broadcast!
