The New Jersey Devils (38-28-7) travel west this Saturday, March 29th, at 6 p.m. to face the Minnesota Wild (41-27-5). A win for this game could help the Devils get closer to securing a playoff spot, while if Minnesota wins, it could help them climb the standings and get into a playoff spot.
In New Jersey’s last game, they suffered a shutout loss against the team with the second-most points in the league, the Winnipeg Jets. The Devils’ offense continues to be somewhat of a problem for them as in some games, it’s easy to find the back of the net, while other times, it seems to be impossible. Despite their erratic play lately, it would not be a surprise to see the team put on a good show and grab the win.
On the other hand, the Minnesota Wild are coming off of a 4-2 win against the Washington Capitals, where they weren’t exactly the team that dominated, but they were still able to grab the win. The Wild have also shown their ability to hold a lead efficiently, which is one of the keys to winning games. New Jersey will have to be careful in this upcoming game, as Minnesota is a dangerous team.
Both teams have defensemen that can effectively lock down the blue line and make it challenging for the opposing team to enter the offensive zone. Some players to name for the Devils are Brett Pesce, who made an immediate impact not just on the game but also on young linemate Luke Hughes, who’s had a great season alongside him. For Minnesota, they have the 22-year-old youngster Brock Faber. Faber has continuously shown that he can be a good, reliable defenseman in the high minutes he plays each game. He also played great throughout the 4 Nations Face-off, representing Team USA.
Alongside talented defense, offensive talent also flies over the ice in this matchup. Some players to name for the Wild as of lately are Matt Boldy, Kirill Kaprizov, and Marco Rossi. Boldy will most definitely serve as a lethal player against the Devils in this approaching game as he leads the team in assists, goals, and points, which is a huge achievement for him but a huge problem for New Jersey. Kaprizov has showcased his ability to be a great playmaker on many opportunities, as he has 29 assists, a +19, and is one goal behind Boldy. Marco Rossi is also in range of Boldy and Kaprizov, as he has 22 goals. Seeing any of these players sneak one past a Devils’ goaltender wouldn’t be a surprise.
Some Devils that Minnesota will need to keep track of are Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Johnathan Kovacevic. Nico Hischier, who leads the team in goals with 30, is currently on an eight-game point streak. His alternate captain, Jesper Bratt, has been insane for New Jersey lately. Bratt broke the record for most assists by a Devils player in a single season that was previously held by Scott Stevens, who had 60 assists. Bratt surpassed that and currently has 64 assists. Lastly, there’s Johnathan Kovacevic, who’s played a gritty game for the Devils throughout the whole season. This has earned Kovacevic a new and improved contract and the approval of fans, as he’s a reliable defenseman who’s always where he needs to be. Going back to Bratt, it’s almost guaranteed that he will be able to set up a goal-scoring play in this imminent game.
Want to figure out who can bring the energy needed to win this game? Tune in tomorrow night at 6 p.m. EST on ESPN+ and Fubo to figure out.
