G14 New Jersey Devils @ Winnipeg Jets: Do you believe in miracles?

Alexander Holtz has been moved from outhouse to penthouse in advance of tonight's game.

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A few notes to get you set for New Jersey vs. Winnipeg:

The golden opportunity

Do you believe in miracles? You should because we saw one Monday when Lindy Ruff moved Alexander Holtz from the 4th line to the 2nd.

He goes from playing ~7 minutes a game alongside Chris Tierney to skating on a line with Tyler Toffoli – the team’s leading goal scorer – and Dawson Mercer. Talk about outhouse to penthouse.

As great as it is Holtz will get minutes with legitimately good players on his line, simply getting away from Chris Tierney is a massive plus.

Holtz was completely neutered by Tierney in previous games. Holtz managed a 24 xGF% playing on a line with Tierney and Bastian and a 9 xGF% with Tierney sans Bastian.

Without them both? Holtz’ numbers are night and day. He owns a 53.53 xGF%, 55.56 HDCF%, and a positive goal differential. Pretty good!

Holtz has been remarkably efficient this season, producing a team-leading 2.63 points per 60 minutes of 5v5 play.

Finally – finally! – Holtz is being rewarded with real ice time and good players by his side. Now it’s up to him to make it last.

We know Ruff has a quick trigger when it comes to shaking up the lines, and doesn’t seem completely sold on Holtz, so it is imperative he hits the ground running.

If Holtz were to struggle with the puck, or make a big mistake defensively that leads to a goal against, he’d likely find himself right back with Tierney (or planted to the bench entirely).

A stiff test