Blues vs. Devils: Blues Must Improve Attack & Tighten Defense
St. Louis Blues Must Boost Offensive Play and Solidify Defense Against Tough New Jersey Devils
The St. Louis Blues (10-12-1, 21 points) will face a challenging road test on Wednesday as they visit the New Jersey Devils (15-7-2, 32 points) at the Prudential Center in Newark. The Blues enter the game coming off a strong 5-2 win over the New York Rangers on Monday, marking a successful debut for new head coach Jim Montgomery. However, the Blues remain in search of consistency, sitting in 5th place in the Central Division. In contrast, the Devils, who sit atop the Metropolitan Division, are riding a three-game winning streak after a commanding 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators.
This matchup is crucial for both teams, with St. Louis looking to improve its position while the Devils aim to extend their divisional lead. The Blues will be without key defensemen Nick Leddy, Philip Broberg, and Torey Krug due to injury, while the Devils are missing defenseman Santeri Hatakka and forwards Nathan Bastian and Curtis Lazar.
St. Louis Blues: Offensive Struggles and Defensive Issues Hold Them Back
The Blues’ current season has been plagued by inconsistent offensive production and defensive lapses. With a 2.5 goals per game average (27th in the league), St. Louis is struggling to find the back of the net, particularly when compared to the league’s top teams. They also rank 26th in goals against, allowing an average of 3.3 goals per game. This combination of offensive underachievement and defensive vulnerabilities has left the Blues with a negative goal differential.
Shots on goal have also been an issue for St. Louis, who average just 26.9 shots per game, ranking 28th in the league. Defensively, they allow an average of 29.2 shots per game (22nd). Despite these challenges, St. Louis has been able to capitalize on some power plays, with a 15.7% success rate (27th in the NHL). However, their penalty kill has also struggled, sitting at just 77% (24th).
Offensively, Jordan Kyrou leads the Blues with 7 goals, 12 assists, and 19 points. His dynamic playmaking has been one of the few bright spots for the team. Fellow forward Jake Neighbours has also chipped in with 7 goals, while Pavel Buchnevich ranks second on the team in points (14) and assists (8). On the blue line, Colton Parayko has been solid, contributing 12 points.
In net, Jordan Binnington has faced his share of adversity, posting a 6-9-1 record, a 3.04 GAA, and an .891 save percentage. His inconsistency has been a factor in the Blues’ struggles, while backup goalie Joel Hofer has provided some stability, with a 4-3-0 record and a 3.23 GAA.
New Jersey Devils: A High-Flying Offense and Tight Defensive Play
The New Jersey Devils have been one of the most well-rounded teams in the NHL this season, combining a potent offense with strong defensive play. They currently rank 6th in goals per game (3.5) and 7th in goals against (2.6). The Devils have the league’s 2nd-best power play, converting on 31.5% of opportunities, and their penalty kill is also among the league’s best at 83.6%.
Offensively, Nico Hischier leads the team with 13 goals and has been a consistent force on the ice. He’s been joined by Jesper Bratt, who has 10 goals and leads the team with 18 assists and 28 points. Stefan Noesen is also having a solid season with 10 goals, while Jack Hughes continues to be a key contributor with 17 assists and 25 points.
Defensively, the Devils have been solid across the board. Johnathan Kovacevic leads the team with a +15 rating, helping to stabilize the back end. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom has been reliable, posting a 10-5-1 record with a 2.51 GAA and .907 save percentage, while backup Jake Allen has been equally strong, with a 5-2-1 record, a 2.26 GAA, and a .921 save percentage.
The Devils’ ability to control the game on both ends of the ice has made them a formidable opponent, and they will be tough for St. Louis to break down, especially with the Blues’ ongoing struggles to create offensive pressure and defend consistently.
Conclusion
This game presents a clear contrast in styles: the New Jersey Devils boast a high-powered offense and a strong defense, while the St. Louis Blues have struggled both to generate offense and prevent goals. For St. Louis to pull off an upset, they will need to vastly improve their shooting accuracy, play a more disciplined defensive game, and hope for a standout performance from their goaltenders.
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