Devils vs. Oilers Preview: Staying Sharp

The New Jersey Devils will need to stay sharp with their puck management against a dynamic Edmonton Oilers team.

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The New Jersey Devils are coming off two tough losses, but it won't get any easier tonight when the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid come to town for their final matchup with the Devils this season. Here are three things to watch as the Devils look to get back into the win column. 

Devils' Puck Management Needs to Be Sharp

The Oilers have been a roller coaster this season. After winning eight straight games to get themselves back in the playoff picture, they've lost three in a row and are back below NHL .500. It's not like they played poorly in those three losses, though. 

Despite the defeats, the Oilers owned an expected goals percentage (xG%) just above 62.8 percent in those three games. That nearly matches their xG% of 62.06 percent over their last ten games, so they've been dominant at five-on-five. 

The Devils have to be sharp with their puck management tonight. Turnovers like the one Jack Hughes committed in the Devils' 3-2 OT loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday will likely end up in the back of the net against McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers. 

Fortunately, the Devils have been playing well themselves at five-on-five, with a 53.22 xG% over their last ten games. They have the skill up front to go toe-to-toe with McDavid and the Oilers' top-six. It's just a matter of being smart and not forcing the puck to the center of the ice when the play isn't there, specifically on breakouts from the defensive zone. 

Don't Expect a Goalie Duel

What's plagued the Oilers during this most recent skid is Stuart Skinner has an .860 SV% across his last four starts. He won't get the start tonight, with Calvin Pickard going up against the Devils for the second time. He got the nod against the Florida Panthers on Dec. 16 and gave up five goals on 39 shots in a 5-1 loss. 

Pickard's numbers are a bit better than Skinner's, as he has a .901 SV%, but it's only come in four games. He hasn't played much this season, so the Devils need to get to him early and put pucks on net. A fast start would go a long way in this one.