Can the Devils Regain Form Against the Penguins?
New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
As the NHL season heats up, a crucial Metropolitan Division clash is set to unfold on Tuesday night when the New Jersey Devils (29-19-6, 64 points) face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins (22-24-8, 52 points) in Pittsburgh. With the postseason picture tightening, both teams are eager to secure points to bolster their playoff positions. The Devils, despite recent losses, sit in the third spot in the division, while the Penguins have won two straight games but remain on the outside of the playoff race, currently in seventh place.
New Jersey Devils: Key Players Missing, but Strong Offensive and Defensive Play
The New Jersey Devils are entering this contest with a solid record of 29-19-6, ranking third in the Metropolitan Division, just five points clear of Columbus in fourth. While they have lost two of their last three games, the Devils’ overall performance this season continues to stand out in both offensive and defensive categories.
Offensively, New Jersey ranks 12th in goals per game, averaging 3.1 goals per contest, and has the third-best power play in the league, converting on 27.9% of opportunities. Despite missing key players, including captain Nico Hischier (due to injury), Jack Hughes has emerged as a top performer for the Devils with 21 goals and 61 points, leading the team. Jesper Bratt has been another standout, contributing 43 assists and 59 points, while Brenden Dillon leads the team with a +13 rating.
Defensively, the Devils are performing exceptionally well, ranking 5th in goals against, allowing just 2.5 goals per game. Their penalty kill has been solid, with New Jersey killing 83.1% of their penalties (5th in the league). The loss of starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom (21-9-5, 2.20 GAA, .912 SV%) will be a challenge for New Jersey, but backup Jake Allen (8-10-1, 2.68 GAA, .905 SV%) will need to step up in this crucial matchup.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Struggling at Both Ends, But Still in the Hunt
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, enters this game with a 22-24-8 record and finds itself sitting in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division, seven points behind the second wild-card spot. While they have shown glimpses of promise, especially with back-to-back wins, the Penguins have struggled throughout the season in key areas.
Offensively, the Penguins rank just 17th in goals scored per game, averaging 2.9 goals, but their power play is one of the league’s best, ranking 6th with a 25.5% success rate. Key players like Rickard Rakell, who leads the team with 23 goals, and Bryan Rust (20 goals) have been producing offensively. Sidney Crosby, while still a point-per-game player, has been inconsistent at times this season. The Penguins’ struggles have come at both ends, as they rank dead last in goals allowed per game (3.5), and have allowed an average of 30.8 shots per game (29th in the league).
Pittsburgh’s penalty kill sits at 78.8% (19th in the league), and their defense will need to tighten up to have a chance against a high-scoring team like New Jersey. In goal, Alex Nedeljkovic (11-9-4, 3.02 GAA, .899 SV%, 1 shutout) has shown some stability but has struggled with consistency. The Penguins will need a strong performance from Nedeljkovic and improved defense to get past the Devils.
Conclusion
New Jersey has been the stronger team throughout the season, and despite their recent losses, they are the more well-rounded squad. With a top-notch defense, solid goaltending (even with Markstrom out), and a powerful offense led by Jack Hughes, the Devils are poised to take control of this game. Pittsburgh’s struggles on both ends of the ice and lack of consistency on defense will make it difficult for them to keep up with New Jersey’s depth.
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