Devils vs. Jets Preview: a Matchup Nightmare

The Winnipeg Jets' defensive style could pose some problems for a New Jersey Devils team that's struggled to score consistently lately.

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The New Jersey Devils are coming off one of their better recent performances, a 5-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. They'll have a much tougher task ahead of them tonight versus the first-place Winnipeg Jets. Here are three things to watch as the Devils cling to life in the Eastern Conference playoff race. 

Jets' Defensive Style Could Pose Problems

Tuesday's tilt against the Penguins was a good spot for the Devils' offense. Pittsburgh was allowing 2.9 expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five across their previous ten games. But there's unlikely to be that kind of room for the Devils to operate offensively tonight. 

The Jets are allowing 2.44 expected goals per 60 for the season and 2.2 xGs per 60 across their last ten games. They're allowing just 10.25 high-danger chances per 60, too, a slightly worse number than the Devils, who are giving up 9.51 high-danger chances per 60 across their last ten games. 

Against Connor Hellebuyck, that seemed like a disaster for a Devils team that's had trouble finishing under interim coach Travis Green. The good news is that Laurent Brossoit is the projected starter tonight, but the bad news is that he's been excellent, too. 

Brossoit has a .941 save percentage across his last ten starts and is coming off back-to-back shutouts. Against a Jets team that isn't giving up much to begin with, it's easy to see Brossoit posting another quality start if the Devils have an off-night finishing. 

We've also seen the Devils have trouble against heavier teams lately (the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights, to name a couple). The Jets have an average height and weight of 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and with how they play defensively, I don't expect there to be much space for the Devils. 

If you're a glass-half-full person, it's that Brossoit is due to give up some goals. But I expect the Devils’ offense to have some trouble tonight. That's why they need to take shooting opportunities when they get them.

Keeping Toffoli's Line Off the Board