Today we have a Saturday edition of NHL Predictions, featuring the New Jersey Devils traveling to visit the Ottawa Senators, in the Canadian national city. Can Ottawa stay in the win column, or will New Jersey make a statement to show they belong in the Metropolitan Division Stanley Cup Playoff picture? Find out next, on…the internet.
NHL Predictions Devils and Senators
Season Series: Devils won the first of three meetings 4-3 in early December.
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
How to Watch: Sportsnet One, TVAS2, MSG
Location: Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario
The New Jersey Devils have tried to turn the boat right around again. They come in with a 6-3-0 record over their last nine games. Moreover, one sign of a confidence boost for New Jersey was the three wins in Western Canada. However, they proceeded to lose the next two, before sneaking the last game out against the Nashville Predators in overtime.
Some of the Story for the Devils
It is concerning for the Devils that yesterday’s report suggested that Jack Hughes’ status was essentially unknown for tomorrow’s (today’s) game. In the fact that he was still being evaluated yesterday. We guess it could potentially mean he is just fine. Oh yeah, we checked you over, go on, get out there, kid. When Hughes is in the lineup, they are 20-14-2. So, they are unsurprisingly better than the 8-10-0 without him in the lineup, as you might have well guessed.
To set some contextual value, the Devils come into this one 28-24-2, good for fifth in the Metropolitan Division. The top five New jersey Devil scorer’s list is pretty impressive.
Name – GP – Points – PPG
- Nico Hischier – 54 – 41 – 0.759
- Jesper Bratt – 54 – 40 – 0.741
- Jack Hughes – 36 – 36 – 1.00
- Dawson Mercer – 54 – 30 – 0.556
- Timo Meier – 49 – 27 – 0.551
What About Ottawa?
Ottawa comes into this one looking forward to the two points. They want to be buyers and they want to play out the season strong. Furthermore, they have the roster composition to do both of those things. The problems for Ottawa include, having depth on the blueline, good enough goaltending, and finally, the forwards finishing, throughout the four lines. You know what it is.
With key components like Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, Shane Pinto, and Dylan Cozens, there is enough high-end depth to strike fear in any opposition. However, if they are not finishing, even they can look mortal. The problem for the opposition is, right now, they are, efficient. Very.
Okay, enough of all that.
Stutzle leads the Sens with 55 points, followed by Batherson (45) and Team USA Olympian defenceman Jake Sanderson (42). Even Ridly Greig is up to 25 points in 48 games played. That is where the Sens depth is coming through, especially right now.
The Matchup, with some Statistics
One advantage the Devils may have on Ottawa is not the depth of their high-end skill, but the level at which they can achieve.
The Sens remain strong in 5v5 expected goal percentage in third at 54.6%. This rate is very difficult to contend with for any opposition. Yes, there are ways around it, and a team like Carolina is a great example of one that can expose it. But then Ottawa beat two division leaders in two games, go figure.
The New Jersey Devils are much lower in xGoals% at 48.6%, good for 23rd in the league.
One part of this that makes it difficult for the Devils to overcome, is the shot differential between the two clubs. At 5v5, Ottawa is +141, while New Jersey is +43. The only thing that is making it a game between the two sides is the differential in team save percentage. Oh, that drastic statistic sneers Ottawa Senator fans, collectively. Ottawa is .866 as a team and New Jersey is .891.
Ottawa
Power Play – 22.4% (tenth)
Penalty Kill – 72.2% (30th)
New Jersey
Power Play – 22.2% (11th)
Penalty Kill – 79.6% (15th)
The Starters
For Ottawa, is might just be time for Linus Ullmark. He has backed up the past two games, after not playing since late December out on a personal leave of absence. If he goes, expect a boost for the Senators, as a team. Meanwhile, the 15-12-1 Jacob Markstrom is expected for the Devils. However, it is a great time for our disclaimer. Please check social media prior to puck drop, to see definitely who gets the nod, before setting your fantasy roster for the day.
NHL Predictions
We like Ottawa at home, and with a Devils offensive leader, Hughes, who appears to be banged up. Ottawa is healthy and ready to keep the winning ways going. Ottawa is a mid, 5-3-2 in the last ten, but do have points in seven of the past nine contests, overall.
Prediction: Devils 2 – Senators 5
Prop Bets
For a couple of anytime goal scorers, check these guys out. We like Nico Hischier for the Devils, and Tim Stutzle for Ottawa. Stutzle just recently tied his goal total from each of the last two years, and shows no reason to expect things are slowing down.
Main Photo Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
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