Devils vs. Blue Jackets Preview: Out for Revenge

The New Jersey Devils seem to be in a favorable spot to avenge their 2-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets from earlier this season.

Follow us on Twitter: @AlexC_NJD, @NJD_OnTheRush

The New Jersey Devils seem to be finding their rhythm, with wins in seven of their last nine games. They'll look to continue those winning ways with a crucial back-to-back this weekend, starting with the Blue Jackets in Columbus tonight. Here are three keys to victory. 

Blue Jackets Are Down Bad

The Devils are coming off one of their best wins of the season, a 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins. The Bruins did show some vulnerability that suggested the Devils were in a good spot to come away with two points, and tonight is the same. 

In fact, the Blue Jackets are more than vulnerable. They've been arguably the worst team in the NHL over their last ten games, with a 41.45 expected goals percentage (xG%), ranked last in the NHL. They're conceding 3.13 expected goals per 60 minutes, the second-worst rate in the league. 

To counter, the Devils are generating 2.93 expected goals per 60, so there's plenty of reason to believe they should be able to create plenty of high-danger looks against a Blue Jackets team bleeding grade-A opportunities. 

That should bode well for the Devils' new top-six, featuring Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes and Tyler Toffoli on one line and Ondřej Palát, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier on the other. 

The Bratt, Hughes and Toffoli line has dominated this season, totaling a 62.12 xG%. Granted, it's only been in a sample of 60 minutes, but there's plenty to like. 

Palát, Hischier and Meier only played together for the first time in the Bruins game, but the returns were encouraging; they posted a 70.84 xG%. Hischier and Palát have been the Devils' two best defensive forwards this season, so they should help cover up Meier's defensive struggles. 

Plus, they're the right type of players to get Meier going on offense since they aren't as puck-dominant as Jack Hughes. I like the fit, and the Devils should reap the benefits of having Meier with Hischier and Palát. 

Don't Take the Blue Jackets Lightly

Just because the Blue Jackets are at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division doesn't mean the Devils should take them lightly. Just ask the Toronto Maple Leafs, who fell behind 5-0 before mounting a furious third-period comeback to steal a point against the Blue Jackets on Dec. 14.