G6 New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals: A statement game

If the Devils are to eventually claim a playoff spot, tonight's opponent might well be the team they pry it from.

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A few notes to get you set for tonight’s game between New Jersey and Washington:

Measuring stick SZN

We’re still in the very early stages of the 2022-23 campaign and yet it feels like tonight’s game carries a lot of weight.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, and New York Rangers (when Igor Shesterkin’s in net, anyway) all very much look the part of playoff teams.

While things can change, injuries can arise, and so forth, it feels like those three will be in the dance when all is said and done.

If the Devils are to steal a playoff spot from a Metro Division team, the Washington Capitals appear most vulnerable.

That’s why this game is so important. When you zoom out – it’s Game 6 – this feels like just another affair. But I think it’s big; perhaps more so for the team’s mentality than in the standings themselves.

New Jersey has been beaten into the ground by Washington in recent years; and that’s no exaggeration.

Since the beginning of 2020-21, the Devils have played the Capitals 11 times. Their record sits at 1-8-2. No matter how well they’ve played, or what they’ve done, the end result has never been there.

If the Devils can get their first ‘marquee’ win of the season against a team they’ll likely be going nose-to-nose with all year long, it could do wonders for their confidence.