Here are my quick hits following the Devils’ 4-2 L vs. DAL, heading into tonight’s game in NSH:
Deserved Better
Result aside, I loved the way the Devils played in this game coming out of the 4 Nations break. Unfortunately, they just weren’t able to execute and bury the puck on Casey DeSmith, who was locked in, tracking pucks, and moving laterally very well in the first 50 minutes until Jack finally solved him. Simply put, DeSmith was the reason the Devils were chasing a 2-goal deficit going into the 3rd period, stopping about 2 goals above expected in the first 40 minutes depending on where you look.
Now, don’t get me wrong: as Rachel and I stress in the clip below (and I know you fans would agree!), there are no moral victories at this point of the season! With that said, though, it certainly was encouraging for the Devils’ process to have looked as good as it did last night for 60 minutes. If you can carry this over on the road and execute on your chances, you’ll start this trip off with 2 points tonight in NSH!
Captain Nico
Heading into tonight’s matchup with NSH, there are two Devils in particular that I’m going to be especially keeping my eye on throughout the game. First, it’ll be for the captain to get back on the scoresheet, as I thought he looked like himself and wasn’t avoiding any contact in his first game back from injury last night. This was a promising indication that he’ll go again tonight, visiting a team he’s had a lot of success against recently. How could you forget his 2nd-period natural hat trick last time the Devils met with the Preds back on Nov. 25? On top of this, Nico also had 2 goals last time the Devils were in NSH, back on Feb. 13, 2024, last season. Let’s hope Nico can get back to how he was playing before the oblique injury (5 Goals in 6 GP) because the Devils sure need it down the stretch here.
Clock Strikes Timo Time in NSH?!
Even though Timo has been playing well, the fact of the matter is he only has 2 goals in his last 21 GP. Staying on the topic of that Feb. 13 game in NSH (the last time the Devils came to Bridgestone Arena), Timo scored the GWG in that game — and it was a catalyst for Timo Time throughout the remainder of the season. I’ll talk more about this storyline during our broadcast, but boy, would it be nice for history to repeat itself tonight for Timo! 
2nd Game of B2B Troubles
From a team perspective, there are two big tests at hand tonight for the Devils. Sheldon has talked a lot about wanting his team to show growth in the 5-6 games out of the break here, and one of those growth moments for me comes in winning on the backend of a back-to-back set tonight. This is something the Devils haven’t done since Game 2 of the season when they beat BUF on consecutive days in Prague — and, overall, they are 0-3-0 in this situation on the road this season. This 7-game winless streak ends tonight!
PP Consistency
Second, it’s going to be critical that the PP finds some real consistency again if the Devils want to have significant success here in the final 24 games. I loved the process on each of the three full opportunities last night against DAL’s #1 ranked PK, and they were rewarded for it with a big goal in the 3rd period. Look, this is a vulnerable NSH PK right now, coming into tonight third-worst at 70.0% (42/60) efficiency in its last 20 games. It’s been 31 games since the beginning of December that the Devils have had a streak of games with PPGs. It's time for this streak to also end tonight!
Last Meeting w/ NSH
The first meeting with NSH was an electric win at the Rock; one of the best efforts this season! The Devils outclassed the Preds in every facet of that game, and quite frankly, I expect to see nothing less tonight right from the drop of the puck. The first period should match the desperation you have for points right now!
Tune in tonight to our pregame show as Rachel and I recap last night’s loss vs. DAL and the last meeting with NSH. We’ll also break down lineup changes and some keys to starting this road trip with 2 PTS tonight. It all starts at 5:30 p.m. on MSG & MSG2!
Let’s Go Devils!
-Sal
Here are some graphics from last night's broadcast!
