What This Weekend Means for the New Jersey Devils
By Ken Bagley
After receiving a week off, the New Jersey Devils are back in action tonight. They host the Ottawa Senators and Arizona Coyotes in back to back Friday and Saturday night.
What do we as fans need to see from the team that got off to a hot start on the season, but is looking to rebound from a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the San Jose Sharks? It’simportant that the New Jersey Devils respond positively, even if it was just they’re second loss of the season.
I believe these next two games have the power to decide which direction this team will take going forward the rest of the year. Yes, it is still very early in the season, but these two games stand for something much bigger than what they seem.
Ottawa Senators Seek Revenge
The last time the Devils played the Ottawa Senators was just last week when the Devils came back from a two goal deficit in the third period and beat the Senators in overtime. The Senators will want revenge and that’s what will make this a big statement game.
We know the Devils can beat the Senators as previously proven, but I’m sure they’re firm believers that they can beat the Devils, too. The Sens blew a two goal lead in their last game. It’s time we find out if the Devils can stand up to a team looking to get revenge.
Arizona Coyotes Need a Win
The Arizona Coyotes have not won a game yet this season. They are the only team in the entire league not to do so. So far the Devils have beaten a few of the very best teams in the league. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are two of the early favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Yet, the Devils handed them each a defeat.
But the good teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat. The New Jersey Devils are supposed to beat the Arizona Coyotes. At a record of 6-2, the Devils should have no problem taking care of the 0-9-1 Coyotes. This is another big test for the Devils because they cannot let up or take this team lightly.
Every point in the NHL is too hard to come by and the Devils cannot afford to take a game off. Especially while the strong Metropolitan division continues to win games at a high pace. Will the Devils sit back and take the Coyotes lightly, or will they do what good teams do and beat up on their lesser opponents?
No Excuses
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After coming off a lucky extra bye week, the Devils have no excuses for this weekend’s set of games. They have moved the puck around and skated hard and fast through their first eight games. The exhaustion I believe no doubt lead to their shutout loss to the Sharks.
But now they should be fresh, healed, and motivated to continue their streak of excellent hockey. As reported by Chris Ryan on NJ.com, Cory Schneider will not get the start Friday against the Senators, but it is not due to his lingering lower body injury. Cory will be at the hospital with his wife, as they are expecting their second child to be born (congratulations)!
Kyle Palmieri will also remain out of the lineup due to his lower body injury suffered earlier in the week as reported by Chris Ryan on Nj.com as well.
Aside from those two, the rest of the Devils should be flying around making plays and being aggressive. I’m expecting big games this weekend from the first line in Nico Hischier, Taylor Hall, and Drew Stafford. I’m also expecting Jesper Bratt to regain his hot streak and find the net.
Hopefully the Devils come out scorching hot after a week off and beat up on the teams we know they can beat.