Devils Notebook: 5-on-5 Offense, Line Combos & More

On the New Jersey Devils' 5-on-5 offense due to break out, line combos settling in and much more to kick off the new week

The New Jersey Devils have had a light schedule to this point, but that's about to change this week, with four games in six days, starting tomorrow night against the Montreal Canadiens. Let's look at their 5-on-5 offense, line combos, and plenty more entering the new week. 

Devils 5-on-5 Offense May Be Ready to Take Off 

The Devils have relied on their power play to get goals, converting on 42.9 percent of their man advantages. That's not a sustainable rate and will regress at some point. But as that regresses, the team should see positive regression in their five-on-five offense. 

Jack Hughes has 10 points in four games, but seven have come on the power play. His lack of five-on-five production is not for a lack of opportunities, either. He has 15 scoring chances at that game state, which leads the team. 

Nico Hischier and Tyler Toffoli lead the team in five-on-five high-danger chances (five apiece) and have an individual expected goals just above one. They're due for a goal or two sooner than later. 

Even Timo Meier, who hasn't had the best start to the season, has four high-danger chances at five-on-five. As his game comes along, he should start finding the back of the net. 

And when looking at the Devils' schedule this week, there's an opportunity for the previously mentioned players to cash in and help the team break out at five-on-five. 

The Canadiens have played well at five-on-five, but they have an unsustainably high team save percentage of .973 at that game state. Regression is coming in that regard, and they're not the only opponent where the Devils could find that five-on-five scoring touch. 

The Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild rank in the bottom 10 of the NHL in five-on-five save percentage, and both teams have been bleeding quality chances at that game state; the Wild are giving up just over three expected goals per 60 minutes. Opportunity looms for Jersey's team. 

Ruff May Have Found Hughes & Bratt the Right Linemates