On today’s New Jersey Devils Daily, the season officially started with a win, but it came at a cost, previewing today’s game against the Buffalo Sabres and a player who stood out against the Avalanche without hitting the headlines.
The New Jersey Devils are 1-0 on the season, but lost two key offensive pieces in the process. Both Kyle Palmieri and Drew Stafford were both hurt in their season debuts. Andrew Gross with NorthJersey.com looks into what Sunday’s practice says about the lineup. Right now, the lines are interesting to say the least. Surprise of the preseason Jesper Bratt was elevated all the way to the top line with Pavel Zacha and Taylor Hall. Another surprise, Jimmy Hayes, now finds himself on the second line. The team looks a lot worse without Palmieri and Stafford, but the injuries don’t seem to be serious and both could play today.
Devils have injury concerns on their first road trip
Todd Correll with HockeyBuzz has some interesting observations about the Devils game today against the Sabres. For one, the team will obviously focus on Jack Eichel, but Evander Kane may be the player that kills them. He has four points in two games to start the season. Also, the Devils need to tighten up defensively, as Correll points out. The team allowed 27 chances in 5-on-5 minutes on Saturday. Cory Schneider can only save them for so long.
G2 New Jersey Devils @ Buffalo Sabres: Five things to watch
Looking at the other side, we look at FanSided’s Sabre Noise on their preview of the game. Jacob Strozyk points out that Buffalo is already a little desperate after losing the first two games of the season. That includes a 6-3 loss to the Islanders. He thinks the Sabres need to try and keep Nico Hischier in check, because he’s already showing great hockey IQ one game into the season. Will Butcher is another player they will focus on after losing out on his sweepstakes back in August.
Buffalo Sabres Vs New Jersey Devils: Youth To Highlight Afternoon
One things coming out of the Devils win against the Colorado Avalanche was pickle juice. Chris Ryan with NJ.com asks Blake Coleman about the video that was going around showing him get a glass of pickle juice while sitting in the penalty box. Coleman calls it his “secret recipe.” It’s pretty common that pickle juice is a natural hydrator, but drinking it on the ice? Coleman says he’s had serious cramp problems in the past, and pickle juice is all that’s helped him. Whatever keeps him on the ice and healthy, I suppose.
Why Devils’ Blake Coleman drinks pickle juice during games
Finally, Pucks and Pitchforks looks at one player who made an impact on Saturday while the young kids took the headlines. Jimmy Hayes was very good in his first real game in a Devils uniform. He scored a great goal getting positioning in front of the net. He also screened Jonathan Bernier to help an Adam Henrique deflection goal. Hayes worked his way on the second line thanks to injuries, but even in limited minutes he showed he can make an impact.