Who's not pumped to be back at the Rock tonight for this matchup?! Should be a fun one!
KEEPIN’ OUR HEADS UP
Going into the season, we would all have taken a 9-4-0 record upfront!
While yes, there are some concerns we are seeing in the Devils' game, I’ll reserve judgment until after these next three home games. And the main reason why is that the Devils’ workload caught up to them against ANA. This is not an excuse - it is real, as it was NJD’s 8th game in 13 days (incl. two B2B sets), while it was only ANA’s 3rd game in 8 days.
But now you’ve had three days of rest before these three upcoming home games - spaced over 5 days - which are against some of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. Maximize the rest!
PK BACK ON ITS WAY
The PK seems to have come off life support, as it is 8/8 in the last 3 GP after the ugly 4 PPGA on 6 kills in COL. They are proving that this was a one-off fiasco in the first game without Pesce, and not a true indication that the sky is falling in his absence.
HOME SWEET HOME
I know we are only a month into the season, but boy, coming back from a tough road trip and feeling really good about the identity you’re building at home is a huge breath of fresh air. It is a relief, to say the least, that coming back to the Rock feels like a spark for the Devils, rather than a burden like it has in the past couple of seasons. It will be Marky’s first start at the Rock tonight, as he looks to keep the Devils as the only remaining undefeated team at home, and the first Devils team to start 6-0-0 at home since 1987-88!
GLASS IS BACK!
It is great to see Cody Glass back in the lineup tonight, as Cody slotting back in at 3C will help solidify the middle 6 and allow Mercer to continue playing the wing full-time. 
STILL MISSIN’ PESH?
As Sheldon has been saying to the media very bluntly, it is no secret that the Devils have struggled defensively with Pesce out of the lineup. Granted, the first 4 GP without him were on a grueling road schedule where you can't control matchups, are fatigued, and are also playing without Connor Brown for two games, but Pesce's injury has been a tough obstacle for the Devils to overcome to this point. Hopefully, coming home to the Rock, where you can control matchups and are feeling good about the way you've defended, will help the suppression ranks below start to regress back to where they were in the first 9 GP.
MTL#14 ON A HEATER
Nick Suzuki is riding a 12-Game Point Streak (3-16–19 PTS), the longest by any Hab since 1995 (Pierre Turgeon, 13 GP). Entering tonight’s games, Suzuki ranks #4 in Puck Battles Won this season - a category still led by Captain Nico, who will be tasked with shutting down and outworking Suzy’s line at 5v5 tonight. 
BE PREPARED TO OUT-COMPETE MTL#71
Jake Evans has been an absolute warrior this season, ranking top 5 among NHL forwards in stick checks (#1), DZ Blocked Passes (#5), and SH DZ FOW% (#5). He is one of two players to have 17+ SH Blocked Shots & 6+ SH PTS since last season, meaning the Devils’ PP has to be aware of when he is on the ice, as he is a true threat shorthanded. 
STAY OUT OF THE BOX!!!
To say MTL’s PP is scorching hot right now would be an understatement. Ever since HC Marty St. Louis & his staff moved young 19 Y.O. Ivan Demidov to the top unit, their PP is executing at 58.3% (7/12) and shooting at a 63.6% clip. Now, no, these rates are not sustainable by any means, but when you’re facing a PP that is absolutely humming like MTL’s is right now, your margin for error when it comes to taking unwarranted trips to the box is slim to none. Stay out of the box!!!
Be sure to join Rachel, Cory, and me at 6:30 p.m., we break down the first 13 games of the season, discuss Marky's contract, and get Cory's perspective regarding a goalie's mindset on tough starts. I will also be chatting ice-side with the DAWG, Dawson Mercer, during pregame skate! 🐶🦴
-Sal
Here are some graphics from our broadcast in ANA!
