G1 New Jersey Devils vs Boston Bruins: They're back!

Tonight, the Devils hit the ice for the first time in 10 months.

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The wait is over. After *checks notes* 10 months without game action, we finally get to watch New Jersey Devils hockey again. It may not be pretty – especially with Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt out – but, at this point, I think we’ll all happily take what we can get.

Here are five things to watch when the Devils return to action against the Boston Bruins:

1. Yegor Sharangovich’s debut

It’s time. Sharangovich SZN is upon us. The big Belarusian has forced his way onto the opening night roster and, in part due to the absences of Nico and Bratt, will start off in the best situation imaginable. He is going to skate on the top line with 2019 1st overall pick (Jack Hughes) and one of the best two-way wingers in the league (Kyle Palmieri).

Not to re-open old wounds but so often it felt like young players didn’t get put in a position to succeed under previous Devils coaches. Maybe they would crack the lineup; but in a depth role playing a way that didn’t really fit their strengths.

We’re not seeing that here. Yegor is getting a real opportunity – while his confidence is at a high point, at that – and it is so refreshing. I’m excited to see what he can do with it.

I’m going out on a limb and predicting three or four shots and Yeezy’s 1st career goal.

2. Taking the next step

This very much looks like another development year for the Devils. Playoffs would be awesome, of course, but the team’s core of young players making strides is what is most important (and realistic)

I think Jack Hughes is going to be leading the charge in that regard. He has real experience against NHL players and a good idea of what will/won’t work. He added a lot of muscle. His shot seems to have more power. He’s going to be given a larger role; both defensively and offensively. There’s been talk about him defending leads late, and Lindy Ruff has had PP1 running through No. 86.

The system seems built for a player of Hughes’ skillset and the puck is going to live on his stick. He’ll have every opportunity to show why he was selected 1st overall. And I think he will.

3. Zero in on 63

The Boston Bruins’ top power play has been deadly in recent years. It took a big hit this off-season, though, as Torey Krug walked in free agency and David Pastrnak underwent surgery that will force him to miss some time.

Words can’t express how dangerous, and productive, those guys were on the man advantage over the last couple of seasons. Pastrnak ranked 2nd in points per 60 – only behind Connor McDavid – while Krug slotted 5th, per NaturalStatTrick.

With those guys out of the picture, I think Brad Marchand is going to be used to facilitate everything. As he should be; Marchand ranked 6th in points/60 from 2018-20 and the vast majority of that production came from assists.

He is one of the better playmakers in the league and the Bruins will want the puck on his stick. I doubt he’ll do much of the transition work, but you can bet teammates will be looking for him the second they get the puck into the OZ. The Devils can probably create some odd-man situations if they’re aware and sit on that.

4. Pace, pace, pace

Lindy Ruff wants the Devils to play fast and aggressive (within reason), which hasn’t exactly been a common theme from NJ coaches of the past.

Look for aggressive play-stopping in the defensive zone, the forwards to be flying in transition, a 4th man activating on the rush, etc, etc.

I think the Devils want to use youth and team speed to their advantage, and they’ll surely be looking to set the tone with that tonight.

Boston is not a fast team – they’re more of a methodical, grind-you-down-type – so, if the Devils can execute, their pace could cause some real problems.

That, along with quality play from Mackenzie Blackwood, is their best chance at opening with an upset win.

5. Earning keep

Ty Smith will play tonight. There were times throughout camp where it looked like he wouldn’t crack the top-6 but he has done just that. The key now is holding his spot.

Ruff recently made a comment about the benefits of the Devils having depth on the backend and not having to force young players into the lineup. And we know full well Sami Vatanen is taking a regular spot when he is ready.

Smith needs to hit the ground running and make sure it isn’t his job that’s lost when the time comes. I’m sure he knows that. I want to see urgency. What I don’t want to see is Smith simplifying his game, and being something he is not, to try and be safe and not ‘lose’ the spot.

I want to see him make plays and go out and ‘win’ the spot.

The Devils have guys who can play a simple, conservative game in a depth role. They don’t have many difference makers who can create consistent offense. Smith has that potential.

Go out and create. Activate. Take some chances. If Smith sits on his hands, and makes himself replaceable, the Devils will just defer to a veteran who has played that style of game for years.

Here are the projected lineups:

New Jersey

Sharangovich - Hughes - Palmieri

Johnsson - Zacha - Gusev

Wood - Zajac - Boqvist

Kuokkanen - McLeod - Bastian

Defense

Murray - Subban

Kulikov - Severson

Smith - Tennyson

Starter: Blackwood

Boston

Marchand - Bergeron - Studnicka

DeBrusk - Krejci - Kase

Ritchie - Coyle - Smith

Bjork - Kuraly - Wagner

Defense

Lauzon - McAvoy

Grzelcyk - Carlo

Zboril - Miller

Starter: Rask

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