Today’s NHL Predictions features a rematch of Metro Division rivals as the New Jersey Devils take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Devils (15-11-1) enter tonight off the heels of a 2-1 OT win against the Boston Bruins. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets (10-16-5) come in fresh off of a thrilling 6-5 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Over the past 10 games, few teams have been hotter than the Devils, who have a 7-3-0 record in that time.
These teams met a few weeks ago in New Jersey, where Elvis Merzlikins carried Columbus to a 2-1 victory. The loss came right at the tail end of a very tough stretch for the Devils. That game was a turning point for them, as they’ve gone on to win seven of their next nine. The Devils come into Columbus on a roll and should be looking to make a statement against one of the bottom teams in the NHL.
NHL Predictions: New Jersey vs. Columbus
Three Keys to Victory for New Jersey
Win The 5v5 Battle
The Blue Jackets are a strange team at 5v5. For a team that lacks a lot of firepower, they rank third in Goals For with 67. On the opposite side of the spectrum, they bleed goals at 5v5. Behind a very porous defence, they rank 31st in the league in Goals Against with 76. Put those numbers into a calculator and you get a -9 Goal Differential. Why is that so strange? Because the Devils also boast a -9 Goal Differential. However, by just watching the two teams play side-by-side, it’s very clear that the Devils are the more talented team. Since their last meeting, the Devils have gotten healthier and are playing much better hockey, specifically at 5v5. With Devil-killer Boone Jenner out with injury, the ice tilts even more in the Devil’s favour in terms of talent. Their top six need to take advantage of the talent disparity and dominate at 5v5 as they have in recent weeks.
The Mad Bratter
After a quiet few games at the end of November, no Devils player has been hotter than Jesper Bratt. Amid a six-game point streak, Bratt has eight points since the start of December and is back to being a catalyst for the Devils. His recent hot streak has him tied for the team lead in goals (12) and is only a point back of Jack Hughes (33). Bratt has shown he can beat you with his shot and his skating, making him a nightmare to play against. Give him space, he’ll pick a corner. Try and play tight, he’ll use his speed and agility to throw you off balance and blow by you. Other than Hughes, there isn’t another player more dangerous on the Devils than Jesper Bratt when he’s playing at full speed. Against a subpar Blue Jackets defence, look for Bratt to take advantage and find the score sheet for a seventh game in a row.
Winning On The Front Half Of The Back-to-Back
The Devils have an NHL-leading 16 back-to-back games this season. Not exactly something a team wants to lead the league in. So far they’ve played five sets of back-to-back games this season. In those five sets, the Devils have won the first game four times. Their only loss coming to, you guessed it, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Their record on the back half is a different story, but so far this year they’ve played well on the front half. Something about the front half of the back-to-backs brings something out of them, specifically their offence. In the four times the Devils have won the first game they have scored four or more goals. Another trend to watch as the Devils enter tonight looking for revenge against a poor Blue Jackets defence.
Prediction Time
Coming off the back of a big win against a top team in the Boston Bruins, there is a big potential for a letdown game. However, the Blue Jackets are without Jenner as well as Patrik Laine. The Devils have dropped games against poor teams like Columbus and San Jose, however, they have been playing much better hockey as of late. There’s a great opportunity to pick up points against a division rival and enter their upcoming five-game homestand with momentum.
Prediction: Devils Win 4-2
Main photo by: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
