Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
I think the NHL will suspend its season sooner than later. I also think that's the right thing to do. But I'm going to continue with my regular content until that happens.
Even though tonight's game is unlikely to be played, it hasn't been cancelled at the time of writing this. So, with that in mind, here are five things to watch for
IF the New Jersey Devils take on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight:
1. Jack Hughes back at center
The 2019 1st overall pick is expected to play his natural position for the first time since The Stone Age. OK, that may be an exaggeration but it’s been much too long considering his on-ice numbers at wing were horrific and he didn’t muster up a single 5v5 point.
Hughes will slot between Janne Kuokkanen and Michael McLeod on the team’s 3rd offensive line. That’s definitely a step in the right direction from playing LW on Travis Zajac’s line, which usually takes on tough defensive assignments. I’m still not sure it’s the right solution, though.
Hughes is a pass-first player. Less so than Kuokkanen and McLeod, sure, but he doesn’t have much power in his shot at this point so a willingness to shoot doesn’t do much. The latter two are pass-first, and second, players.
I like having Kuokkanen’s smarts with Hughes, and McLeod’s skating + forechecking elements are nice to have too. I just don’t think anyone will shoot or has the finishing ability to score with regularity right now.
2. Playing spoiler
The Hurricanes are hanging onto a playoff spot by the smallest of margins. They’re just one point ahead of the 9th seeded New York Islanders, and two points up on the 10th seeded New York Rangers. Suffice to say there’s not a lot of wiggle room for the final 12-14 games of the season.
New Jersey has a much better chance of winning the 1st overall pick than making the playoffs but the guys still have motivation in the way of playing spoiler.
One game is one game but if the Devils can somehow steal two points from the Hurricanes, it could very well cost them a playoff spot. The margin for error appears that small right now.
I personally think wins do more harm than good at this point but a lot of guys, and coaches, on the Devils are playing for jobs. You can bet they’ll be putting their best foot forward.
3. Back on track?
Cory Schneider has appeared in four games since being recalled from Binghamton. He owns a 3-0-1 record and has posted a .952 save percentage while conceding only six goals. That’d be an impressive run of play for anybody, let alone a 33-year-old who last performed at an above average level in 2016-17.
I’m not buying Schneider stock just yet – he only posted a .903 SV% in the AHL, after all – but it is refreshing to see him finally string together a few quality games. He’s one of the best people in the sport and deserves things to finally go his way, even if only for a few weeks.
The Hurricanes generate a *ton* of shots and the Devils allow a *ton* of shots so he’ll definitely be tested in this game. We’ll see if he’s up for it.
4. A familiar face
Kuokkanen’s 2nd game with the Devils, and 1st playing on a line he has a chance of making something happen on, comes against his former team.
While I have concerns about pass-happiness of this trio, Kuokkannen is a savvy player who generally finds a way to make things work with anyone. He has to be excited about the chance to play with a talent like Hughes.
5. Over his head
The Hurricanes are dealing with a lot of injuries on defense right now. Joel Edmundson has found his way onto the top pairing as a byproduct, and the results are not good.
Carolina is controlling ~47% of the attempts and expected goals with Edmundson and Slavin on the ice. That may not sound horrific but it’s a far cry from what the Hurricanes usually get out of their top unit.
Away from Edmundson, Slavin owns a 57 CF%, 57 xGF%, and plus-17 goal differential at 5v5. He garners absolutely elite results sans Edmundson and is below average with Edmundson.
While I’d normally say it’s imperative to use last change and get top lines away from Slavin, I’m not sure it’s necessary with Edmundson riding shotgun.
Here are the projected lineups:
New Jersey
Miles Wood - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri
Jesper Bratt - Pavel Zacha - Nikita Gusev
Kevin Rooney - Travis Zajac - Joey Anderson
Janne Kuokkanen - Jack Hughes - Michael McLeod
Mirco Mueller - P.K. Subban
Dakota Mermis - Damon Severson
Connor Carrick - Freddy Claesson
Cory Schneider
Carolina
Andrei Svechnikov - Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Tervainen
Warren Foegele - Vincent Trocheck - Martin Necas
Brock McGinn - Jordan Staal - Justin Williams
Nino Niederreiter - Morgan Geekie - Jordan Martinook
Joel Edmundson - Jaccob Slavin
Haydn Fleury - Brady Skjei
Jake Gardiner - TvR
Petr Mrazek
Puck drop is just after 7:00 p.m. eastern on MSG and FS-CR.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
Recent Posts
New Jersey’s three stars of the month for February
Biggest trade deadline loser?
Biggest trade deadline winner?
Reviewing New Jersey’s deadline moves
An in-depth look at the Coleman and Greene trades
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»