Devils vs. Jets Preview: New Look Lineup

The New Jersey Devils take on the Winnipeg Jets with some entirely new line combos and defense pairs, hoping to find a spark for a win

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The New Jersey Devils have lost three of the last four games, but it hasn't been all bad. They've mostly played well at five-on-five but have had some tough results, partly due to shaky goaltending. Tonight, they'll take on the Winnipeg Jets, hoping to turn the tides with a new look lineup. 

Ruff Goes to New Look Lines & Pairs

It was a bit of a surprise to see the Devils' lines at practice yesterday, but maybe it shouldn't have since the team has lost three of its last four games. Coach Lindy Ruff went to the line blender, and there's not much to complain about:

Via Devils team reporter Amanda Stein (@amandacstein on Twitter)

Perhaps the most notable change was moving Alex Holtz into the top-six. His usage has been a hot topic on social media over the last few days, but we're finally getting a look at what he can do with some skill players. 

Holtz's numbers away from Chris Tierney and Nathan Bastian include a 53.3 expected goals share (xG%) and a plus-1 goal differential. There are definitely some defensive concerns placing him on a line with Tyler Toffoli and Dawson Mercer. But the way Ruff configured the rest of the lineup should help. 

Michael McLeod and Jesper Bratt are solid defensive forwards, specifically the former, while Ondrej Palát, Erik Haula and Curtis Lazar all have positive defensive impacts this season. So if Mercer, Toffoli and Holtz can score, the Devils should be in good shape. 

Defensively, Ruff has gone to new defense pairs for the first time. Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton have posted a 70.79 xG% in 33 minutes together. That's not sustainable as the sample grows, but there's potential for the Devils to tilt the ice in their minutes. 

In doing so, they get a shutdown pair with Jonas Siegenthaler and John Marino, something the Devils have yet to find since Ryan Graves signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins this offseason. Kevin Bahl and Marino were only so-so this season, so changing up the top-four was a wise move by Ruff.