New Jersey Devils Face Major Test Against Maple Leafs

The New Jersey Devils are 2-0 following big wins against the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres. They’ll face off against Toronto on Wednesday, which is an early test for the young team.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are 3-0 coming off a big win against the Chicago Blackhawks. While the game went to overtime Toronto dominated after the first period. It is quite possibly the best young team in the game.

How They Match Up

Toronto has three very dangerous forward lines. Obviously, any line with former number one overall pick Auston Matthews is dangerous. Now, add in a 2^nd line of Patrick Marleau, Nazem Kadri, and Leo Komarov followed by a 3^rd line of James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Mitch Marner, that makes three lines that can score any time they touch the ice.

Its looking likely that Kyle Palmieri will return to the lineup against Toronto, but that Drew Stafford will be out for at least one more game.

Personally, I like moving Palmieri to the 3^rd line. Doing so allows the Devils to roll out three talented lines with plenty of scoring potential. If they’re going to compete with teams like the Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals they’ll need production up and down the lineup.

A Real Defensive Test

Mirco Mueller and Steven Santini have seen the brunt of the Devils shutdown work defensively. We’ll see if that trend continues.

Coach Hynes continues with a younger and faster approach defensively as Ben Lovejoy dressed as the 7^th defenseman and only saw 12:16 TOI. Dalton Prout has been a healthy scratch two games in a row.

With the younger defenseman showing no issues adjusting, I expect this trend to continue. Will Butcher had a very sheltered role in game one against Colorado, only getting 12:45 TOI, but saw an increased role with 15:46 against Buffalo.

We’ll see if the Devils continue to shelter Butcher or if Coach Hyne’s is gaining more trust in him.

Cory Schneider

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Schneider looks to have regained his form. Allowing only one even strength goal through two games resulting in a .98 sv% is outstanding. 2 of his 3 goals allowed have come on the PK where he’s allowed 2 goals on 15 shots. Even that is a slight improvement over the numbers we saw last year.

Despite his outstanding numbers, Toronto is by far the most offensively talented team the Devils have faced so far.

Four Tough Games in One week

Between today and October 17^th we’ll get a good idea of how good this Devils team actually is. Starting with this first test against Toronto the Devils then face Washington at home, the Rangers at MSG, and then Tampa Bay at home.

It’s a tough early stretch but even if this young team comes out of it with a 2-2 split it would be a huge victory.