Can the New Jersey Devils Outskate the Montreal Canadiens at Prudential Center?
As the New Jersey Devils prepare to host the Montreal Canadiens at Prudential Center, fans are eager to see if their team can continue its recent performance trends. The upcoming clash, set for February 24th, will be a test of resilience and strategy for both sides.
The Devils have shown a mixed bag of results in their recent outings. A victory against the Seattle Kraken showcased their ability to capitalize on powerplay opportunities, scoring once out of five chances and demonstrating defensive prowess by blocking 18 shots. However, they also faced a tough overtime loss against the Carolina Hurricanes despite a strong goaltending performance that saw them save all but one of 32 shots.
A concerning defeat came at home against the Calgary Flames where they allowed five goals while only managing to score three themselves. This game highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities that need addressing if they hope to stave off Montreal's attack.
One positive trend for New Jersey has been their faceoff win percentage which stood at an impressive 60 percent in their win over Seattle and remained above fifty percent even in losses. Winning faceoffs is crucial as it allows teams control over puck possession from the get-go – something that could prove pivotal against Montreal.
On special teams, there's room for improvement; while they did score on powerplay against Seattle, consistency remains key as they failed to convert any of their four powerplay opportunities during their shutout loss to Carolina.
The upcoming game will be played on home ice which could give New Jersey an edge considering fan support and familiarity with playing conditions. The team will need all hands on deck defensively while looking to exploit any weaknesses in Montreal's armor through strategic offensive plays starting right from faceoff wins.
Devils fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ or MSG channel 634 this Saturday evening at Prudential Center in Newark. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM local time – don't miss what promises to be an exciting matchup!