Devils Have 3 Crucial Games Before 4 Nations Break

The New Jersey Devils need at least 4/6 points in their final three games before the 4 Nations break.

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The New Jersey Devils have been struggling since Christmas, with just six wins in their last 17 games. We've documented their struggles lately, especially in the bottom six, and how general manager Tom Fitzgerald needs to address it sooner rather than later.

However, the Devils have an opportunity to get some positive results before getting nearly two weeks off for the 4 Nations Face-Off. It starts tonight in Pittsburgh against the Penguins and concludes with tilts against the Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens, two teams having their own struggles.

Penguins Still a Favorable Matchup for Devils

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has already made it clear that he will be a seller ahead of the trade deadline. He dealt arguably their best defenseman, Marcus Pettersson, to the Vancouver Canucks in a late Friday night trade last week.

There'll likely be more moves since the Penguins have a minus-36 goal differential and aren't likely to jump back into the playoff race. This is a team the Devils should take advantage of, despite their struggles against bottom-feeders over the last month.

Sure, the Penguins' numbers look solid lately; they have a 55.67 expected goals share (xG%) over their last ten games. But the Devils have had plenty of success against a slower and less skilled Penguins team over the previous few seasons.

Just earlier this season, the Devils shut out the Penguins 3-0 and held them to 12 shots on goal. I'm not expecting that to happen again, especially with how the Devils have played lately, but this should be a favorable matchup.

You always have to keep an eye out for Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust, but the Penguins will be down Evgeni Malkin, who's injured, and have a blue line now without their best defenseman.

It also appears the Devils will be getting Erik Haula back for tonight's game against the Penguins. He was struggling before missing time with an injury, but he will be a welcomed return since the Devils don't appear to be getting Nico Hischier back from an injury this week.