Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions. Tonight’s matchup features the New Jersey Devils, as they take on the Washington Capitals. These teams meet for the fourth and final time this season, with the Capitals winning two out of three.
The Devils (28-22-4), enter another massive Metropolitan division matchup off the backs of a win against the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium. Meanwhile, the Capitals (24-21-8), are fresh off a 4-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens. The Capitals took the first two contests earlier in the season in New Jersey, while the Devils took the most recent matchup in Washington on January 3.
NHL Predictions: New Jersey vs. Washington
Three Keys to Victory for New Jersey
Reset And Refocus
The biggest concern for the Devils coming into tonight is still being hungover from the win on Saturday. It was a massive spectacle and the team pulled out a win when the lights were brightest this season. That’s all well and good but they can’t get caught up in it. From a standings perspective, the win kept them neck and neck with the Detroit Red Wings for a Wild Card spot, as well as keeping them in arms reach of the Flyers. Tonight is just as big as any other game right now. The Devils can’t afford to be losing games because they don’t start on time and are playing catchup. Hopefully, they enjoyed Saturday’s win on Sunday, but now it’s back to work. The only distraction now should be on getting a playoff spot.
Daws Steadying The Ship
It always comes back to goaltending with the 2023 Devils. However, for the time being, they are getting elite performances from Nico Daws. He went 3-1 in four games last week and put up a 0.930 SV% or better in each contest. His recent strong run of games also has him with a 4.3 Goals Saved Above Expected, the only Devils goalie with a positive number in that stat. Daws also set a record for the most saves in an outdoor game, when he stopped 45 of the Flyers 48 shots. Consistency is king when it comes to the goalie position, and the Devils need Daws to keep playing lights out down the stretch. This Capitals team doesn’t score many goals, but Alex Ovechkin has turned it up as of late, and they are a team that thrives in front of the net.
Make It Happen, Captain
In a time when the team needs him most, captain Nico Hischier has stepped up. Hischier came up big Saturday night with a two-goal, three-point night on the biggest stage of the season. You can officially say he’s heating up because this was his second two-goal game this week. Hischier picked up two goals just a few nights prior against the Nashville Predators. The offence is starting to come, as Hischier has recorded 12 points in his last eight games. And tonight against Washington he’ll look to continue the good scoring vibes, especially against the Capitals. In the two games he’s played against them this season he’s scored three goals and one assist. The Hischier, Jesper Bratt and Ondrej Palat line has been buzzing around the past few nights and should have the chance to do so again tonight.
Prediction Time
The Devils have had a lot of positive momentum over the past two weeks. They’ve gotten some form of consistent goaltending, and the defensive zone structure has gotten much better. In theory, they should be favourites to win. However, the Capitals have given the Devils fits for what seems like about a decade. They play heavy, which is something the Devils struggle with. If guys like Palat, Timo Meier, and Nathan Bastian can bring physicality upfront, then their chances of winning skyrocket. If not, then they may get run over.
Prediction: Devils Win 4-2
Main Photo: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
