G15 New Jersey Devils vs Arizona Coyotes: Heat check

The Devils have won eight consecutive games. Can they make it nine with their 4th string goaltender between the pipes?

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

Tilting the ice

The New Jersey Devils have been great at controlling the run of play on a nightly basis; perhaps more so than any other team.

At 5v5 they have finished with an expected goal share above 50% in 13 of 14 games thus far. They posted a 60 xGF% or higher nine times in that span and 70%+ on five different occasions. Utter domination.

Although the Arizona Coyotes shockingly sit at NHL .500, and are within two points of a playoff spot (lmao), there is every reason to believe the Devils will steamroll them at 5v5.

Through 13 games the Coyotes have taken only 35% of the high-danger shots. To put into perspective how abysmal that number is, they won only 25 games a year ago and controlled more than 42% of the Grade A looks.

New Jersey has posted a league-best 65% high-danger chance share. They’re second in high-danger looks generated – just a hair behind the Vegas Golden Knights, who have played an extra game – while no team has conceded top-tier looks at a lesser rate.

With the Devils winning the high-danger battle night after night, and the Coyotes routinely getting crushed in that department, it feels safe to assume New Jersey will dominate in that regard once again.

Considering the talent discrepancy, it should lead to yet another victory.