G4 New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals: Kryptonite

The Devils will attempt to get back on track against a Capitals team that's caused them a world of problems in recent years.

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By David Mudrak (@MuddyOpinions)

The New Jersey Devils will look to get back in the win column today against a newly improved Capitals team that has historically been hard for New Jersey to beat. 

Here are a few thoughts before tonight’s matchup: 

New look Capitals 

While it is almost consensus that the New Jersey Devils had the best off-season in the NHL, the Washington Capitals were not far behind. The Capitals brought in seven new players to help keep them in the playoff race as they fight against time and an aging core. 

Washington’s offense will likely improve this year as they added Pierre-Luc Dubois and Andrew Mangiapane. Although Dubois has struggled to reach the expectations he came into the league with, he still has a build (6’4” and 225lbs) and toolkit that can make a difference.

Dubois’ time to take his next step and become a true difference-maker is running out. The 26-year-old center may be getting his last chance to grow into a first-line center, as this will be his fourth team since 2020. 

Coming from Calgary in an off-season trade, Mangiapane will also support the top six. After putting up three straight seasons with forty or more points, he has established himself as a true offensive threat.

The small, speedy winger is projected to play alongside Dylan Strome and Alexander Ovechkin on the top line, helping to pick up their pace as Ovechkin has consistently slowed down season after season. 

Washington’s defense should also take a positive step, as they brought in Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy.

Chychrun, a 26-year-old who has previously played for the Coyotes and the Senators, has established himself as a strong NHL contributor. He has put up two seasons with over forty points in his career.

More importantly, Chychrun played all 82 games last year - the first time he achieved that feat. If he can remain healthy, he will be a big boost to the backend. 

Meanwhile, Matt Roy comes in after playing some impressive shutdown defense in Los Angeles. He has put up positive plus/minus numbers in the past three seasons while playing about twenty minutes a game. The Capitals will likely lean on him to eat up some tough minutes. 

Although the Capitals are not on anyone’s list to threaten for the Stanley Cup this year, it would be a terrible mistake for the Devils to think this will be an easy game to win.

In the season series last year, the Devils went 1-3. In fact, over the last fifteen matchups between these teams, the Capitals have a 10-2-3 record.

After clearly improving their roster and likely trying to come out strong for their home opener, the Devils may have more of a problematic opponent than they are accounting for. 

Reset and start on time