G51 New Jersey Devils @ Pittsburgh Penguins: Back in action

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A few notes to get you set for tonight’s game between the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins:

Help is on the way

New Jersey has done a surprisingly good job at generating chances of late. Although they’re in the midst of a woeful 2-8-0 run, creating opportunities in bulk has not been an issue. Quite the contrary.

The Devils sit 5th in 5v5 expected goals per 60 and 8th in high-danger chances per 60 over the last 10 games. That hasn’t translated to many goals; at least not as many as deserved. They ranked 17th in goals per 60 during that spell.

Put simply, their offense was middle of the pack in terms of putting the puck out of the net despite generating chances like an elite team.

The good news is they’re getting plenty of firepower back in the lineup tonight as Dougie Hamilton, Jesper Bratt, and Andreas Johnsson are all expected to play.

That’s a top pairing blueliner, a top line winger, and another winger producing at better than a 45 point pace this season.

If the Devils generate chances the way they have been of late, they have a much better chance of enjoying the fruits with those guys healthy again.