Another week of hockey in the books and the 2019-20 New Jersey Devils continue to struggle. Jersey Joe Stanislau and Jim Biringer from lastwordonhockey.com are back with a new episode of the Jersey Joe Corner podcast. The boys bring a special guest to the show. Analytics guru Tyler Kelly of Pucks and Pitchforks break down the numbers surrounding the struggles of the Devils. The boys also talk about the injury bug hitting the Devils, a preview of the big game with the New York Rangers and so much more.
Jersey Joe Corner
Analyzing the New Jersey Devils
Joe and Jim jump right into it as they bring in their guest Tyler Kelly right into the fold. The questions are hard-hitting and fast-paced. The segment is more analytics-based as Tyler looks at what the numbers say in regards to the defence, power play, and penalty kill of the Devils. Jim asks Tyler about what the numbers say in regards to who is the best partner on the left side for P.K. Subban. The biggest issue that Tyler brings up is the high danger scoring chances. Under John Hynes, the Devils ranked dead last in that category.
Changes Behind the Bench
Joe transitions the show to the change behind the bench for the Devils. Assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald joins Hynes’s staff for the foreseeable future. Jim mentions that having an extra set of eyes on the bench is never a bad thing. However, it is a little odd to have him on the bench instead of going all the way to fire Hynes. Jim notes that the ownership group does not have a track record of firing coaches just look at the Philadelphia 76ers. So if you think changes are coming, think again.
Injury Update
Jim transitions the show over to what happened on the ice for the Devils during practice. Forward Nico Hischier did not practice and is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. With Hischier out of the lineup, Jack Hughes is centring the top line of Kyle Palmieri and Taylor Hall. On defense, Andy Greene resumed practicing but is still out of the lineup with his broken finger. There is still no timetable for his return.
New York Rangers Preview
Jersey Joe moves the show into the preview of the New York Rangers and Devils game on Thursday night. The game is on national television as Jack Hughes takes on Kaapo Kakko. The boys believe this is a big game for the Devils and could be a turning point of the season. if the Devils can’t get up for playing the Rangers then there is an even more underlying issue.
2019-20 New Jersey Devils Main Photo:
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 09: Taylor Hall #9 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 09, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Devils 4-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
