Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

G47 New Jersey Devils @ New York Islanders: Five things to watch

January 17, 2019, 12:08 PM ET [78 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell

Five things to watch when the New Jersey Devils take on the New York Islanders:

1. A need for more offense

Over the last 10 games, the Devils are averaging 51.37 attempts and 24.67 chances per 60 minutes of 5v5 play. Those totals rank them 28th and 24th respectively. They're not generating a lot right now, which is not exactly surprising for a shallow team missing by far its best offensive weapon.

They must find a way to up the volume significantly if they're going to have success tonight vs Robin Lehner. He has been lights out this season posting a .928 save percentage to date. That's good for 1st among all goaltenders with 20+ appearances to their name.

2. Tightening up on Mathew Barzal

The Devils have been letting opposing players roam freely in the defensive zone of late. That was the case vs Patrick Kane and he torched them for four points. It happened again vs Columbus and each member of their dynamic top line recorded a multi-point game while three of four goals were scored directly around the net. If they don't tighten up vs Mathew Barzal, who is red hot having recorded 22 points and 54 chances over his last 18 games, he will certainly take advantage. Much like Kane, Artemi Panarin, and players of that style, Barzal is at his best when he has a little extra space to work with and put his creativity to use.

3. Devils PK vs Islanders PP

New Jersey's penalty killing has been fantastic all season long. They're not only fantastic at limiting shots, chances, and goals against, but they generate a good chunk of their own.

While New York's power play is not very good in terms of quantity, it's pretty good at generating quality. That's why the Isles are 9th in chances/60, 8th in high-danger chances/60, and 14th in goals/60 despite sitting *checks notes* 29th in attempts/60.

This will be an interesting matchup.

4. Blake Coleman's hot streak

I'm going to give this guy space in every damn post because he's a constant bright spot on a team full of darkness. At 5v5, he leads the Devils in goals, points, shots, shot attempts, and chances since Taylor Hall went down with an injury. He has been the team's best offensive player and his defensive game has not suffered one bit despite that. I know he plays a very aggressive, energetic style and you don't want to wear him out but I really would like to see him get some run on the power play. He is the biggest threat on the team right now so you'd think he'd be one of the 10 players used in the most favorable offensive situations.

5. Give us a sign

Pavel Zacha has shown us all he is a very streaky player. When he's on, he is *really* on and you can see why scouts thought he'd develop into a star. When he's off, he is nowhere to be found. Right now it's the latter. He owns a putrid 38.5 Corsi For% and has registered just five chances at 5v5 over the last 10 games. Nobody expects him to out-duel Mathew Barzal, who kills me a little inside every time I watch him do something beautiful while Zacha is missing in action, but it'd be nice if he'd step up a little and show a pulse.

Here are the projected lineups.

New Jersey Devils

Marcus Johansson - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Blake Coleman - Travis Zajac - Kyle Palmieri
Brett Seney - Pavel Zacha - Drew Stafford
Brian Boyle - Kevin Rooney - Blake Pietila

Andy Greene - Damon Severson
Will Butcher - Sami Vatanen
Mirco Mueller - Steve Santini

Mackenzie Blackwood

New York (via DailyFaceoff.com)

Anders Lee - Brock Nelson - Jordan Eberle
Anthony Beauvillier - Mathew Barzal - Jordan Eberle
Michael Dal Colle - Valtteri Filppula - Leo Komarov
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck

Nick Leddy - Johnny Boychuk
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Devon Toews - Scott Mayfield

Robin Lehner

Puck drop is just after 7:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on MSG+ and MSG+2.

Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com and Corsica.Hockey

Recent Posts

Five observations from an ugly loss to the Blue Jackets

On Zacha's streakiness, Coleman's strong play, and Hischier without Hall

The Devils should trade Kinkaid prior to the deadline

On Hynes being extended by the Devils

Zacha's offensive play leaves little room for optimism

Predicting the Metro Division standings in 2018-19
Join the Discussion: » 78 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Todd Cordell
» Thank you
» On the Chayka rumors and finalists for the Devils' GM job
» Notes on quotes from Lindy Ruff's appearance on 31 Thoughts
» The New Jersey Devils may not have hired the coach they wanted
» Notes on quotes from Ruff, Fitzgerald, and Devils ownership