GDT: Jets @ Devils, 7:00 PM, MSG

[SJinNewJersey]

The Jets have come to town.


Nico is coming off a huge game.


Lindy is still making baffling line up decisions.


Jack is back!

PREVIEW​

DEVILS (36-14-5) vs. JETS (34-20-1)

TV: 7:00 p.m. ET; Televised on MSGSN

RADIO: 7:00 p.m. ET; Live on Devils Hockey Network

Head-to-Head:

The Devils and Jets play for the first time this season, kicking off the season series at Prudential Center. The second meeting is on the second half of a back-to-back for New Jersey on April 2 in Winnipeg.

Last season the Jets won both meetings against the Devils, first 8-4 in Winnipeg on Dec. 3, 2021 and then 2-1 in New Jersey on Mar. 10, 2022. Damon Severson, Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Ryan Graves all scored in the December loss while Hughes had the lone Devils goal in March.

Devils Team Scope:

The Devils wrapped up their four game road trip with a big 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday night in the first half of a back-to-back that wraps up against the Jets. During the road trip New Jersey picked up wins against the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-2) and Pittsburgh Penguins (5-2) but lost to the Minnesota Wild (3-2, SO), and St. Louis Blues (4-2). Sunday's game is the first of four straight home games.

Captain Nico Hischier's two goals against the Penguins were 100 and 101 in his career, all with New Jersey. Hischier also picked up two assists in the game, and the four-point night was a new career-high. Hischier is only the second player from the 2017 NHL Draft class to reach 100 career goals with Elias Pettersson being the first (per Mike Morreale, NHL.com).

Jack Hughes and Brendan Smith both returned to the lineup after missing four games each with upper and lower body injuries respectively. Hughes had two assists against the Penguins and played 17:30 total minutes, 2:27 of which were on the power play. Smith played 18:58, including 3:37 on the penalty kill.

Hughes leads the Devils with goals (35) and points (69) and has the second most assists on the team (34). Dougie Hamilton leads the Devils with assists as he has 37 so far this season. Vitek Vanecek picked up win number 24 on Saturday as the Devils netminder has a 24-5-3 record. He has a 2.30 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. With Vanecek playing in Pittsburgh, Mackenzie Blackwood could get the nod against the Jets. He's 7-5-2 this year, has a 3.12 goals against average and a .899 save percentage.

Jets Team Scope:

Winnipeg comes into Sundays game winning 11 of their last 18 games and three of their last four contests. However, the Jets lost their most recent game, 3-1, to Columbus on Thursday night. Although the Jets are 16th in the NHL with goals for per games played (3.15), they limit their opponents to 2.60 goals a contest which is third-best in the league. Another strength for the visiting team is their penalty kill which stops its opponents 83.3% of the time and is fourth in the league.

Mark Scheifele leads his team with 32 goals while Josh Morrissey's 45 assists are a team-high. Kyle Connor's 62 points pace the Jets. Over their last five games, Blake Wheeler has six points (3G, 3A), Morrissey also has three goals and two assists, while Kyle Connor has one goal and four assists. Connor Hellebuyck is the Jets starting goaltender with a 25-15-1 record, is averaging 2.41 goals against, has a .924 save percentage and three shutouts. David Rittich has a 9-5-0 record with a 2.49 goals against average and .911 save percentage.

The Jets are second in the Central Division and third in the Western Conference with 69 points and a 34-20-1 record. Sunday's game is the first half of a back-to-back for Winnipeg and the second of four games on a road trip playing only Metropolitan Division teams.

By the Numbers:

With 36 wins through 55 games played, the Devils have set franchise history for most wins in that amount of games. Only two Devils teams have won 35 through 55 games played: 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Winnipeg starting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck 2.41 goals against average and .924 save percentage are fourth-best in the NHL, with Devils goaltender Vitek Vanecek right behind the Winnipeg netminder in fifth for both categories.

Injuries:

Devils:

Jonathan Bernier (LTIR, hip)

Jets:

David Gustafsson (IR, upper body)

Click to read more...

 

[Capt Nico Poo]

LGD! Jets are pretty good, hope our boys are ready to play!

 

[Clam Jensen]

Devils are young, need to skate the Jets into the ground and avoid the clutching and grabbing.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Great game by the captain and an all around solid team game. Jack looks healthy, which is great for the team.

 

[Ripshot 43]

Did Siegs not play last night?

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Did Siegs not play last night?

Healthy scratch.

 

[Ripshot 43]

Healthy scratch.

Makes sense with Brendan Smith coming back to the lineup

 

[Mgd31]

The Jets seem to own us. Just hoping for a good game and point

 

[Blender]

LGD!!

Hopefully no Wood tonight.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Did Siegs not play last night?

No he didn't. Well needed maintenance day. With the progress Bahl has made it's good that the Devils have that luxury.

Would like to see Okhotiuk slot in for a handful of games too and possibly a veteran trade deadline pick to insure that the Devils are 9-10 deep heading into the playoffs.

 

[HBK27]

I'd expect more lineup changes tonight, especially given the back-to-backs.

Wood only had 7 shifts for 4:48 of ice time last night, so he seems primed to sit.

 

[DevilsHughes86]

LGD, 2 points please!

 

[Nubmer6]

I'd expect more lineup changes tonight, especially given the back-to-backs.

Wood only had 7 shifts for 4:48 of ice time last night, so he seems primed to sit.

Na... Wood will be in cause he's fresh!

 

[severian]

Na... Wood will be in cause he's fresh!

He’s probably playing with Jack tonight

 

[HoliksGhost]

LGD!!

Hopefully no Wood tonight.

I think he will play to see if he reacts to getting benched.

 

[Patrik26]

Miles tonight?

I think he will play to see if he reacts to getting benched.

Hope he's benched tonight. Then give him a look on Tuesday. Regardless, from a productive standpoint I think he's finished.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

LETS GO

 

[Brooklyndevil]

The Jets seem to own us. Just hoping for a good game and point

Them and St. Louis. I dislike them both.

Great game by the captain and an all around solid team game. Jack looks healthy, which is great for the team.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Great game by the captain and an all around solid team game. Jack looks healthy, which is great for the team.

Wrong thread. My bad.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

I’d be impressed with a win, however, on a back to back I’ll be happy with a point. They’re a big good team with several guys playing well.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I'd expect more lineup changes tonight, especially given the back-to-backs.

Wood only had 7 shifts for 4:48 of ice time last night, so he seems primed to sit.

You mean primed for 20 minute night, right?

 

[OlfactoryHughes]

I’d be impressed with a win, however, on a back to back I’ll be happy with a point. They’re a big good team with several guys playing well.

Who just lost to Columbus…. Let’s win

 

[Guttersniped]

Missed my chance to post our Swiss Prince and the Dancing Mercer in the last thread.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Wrong thread. My bad.

How dare you.

 

[Bleedred]

Can't wait to see loser boy in net

Doesn't mean we're gonna lose, just means it's gonna be that much harder to win