Devils vs. Penguins Preview: Looking to Change the Tides

The New Jersey Devils are looking to end their three-game losing streak but will face another stiff test against the Pittsburgh Penguins

The New Jersey Devils are facing their first bit of adversity this season. They're coming off a 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets and now have to square off a Pittsburgh Penguins team riding a five-game winning streak. Here's what to watch as the Devils look to get back into the win column. 

Another Difficult 5-on-5 Matchup

Just like the Jets, the Devils will face another stiff test at five-on-five against the Penguins. They did play well at five-on-five against the Jets, specifically offensively, and ended up controlling 58.45 percent of the expected goals (xG%). 

It'll be another challenge for the Devils, as the Penguins come into tonight's tilt with a 54.89 xG% at five-on-five, ranked sixth in the NHL and just ahead of the seventh-place Devils. 

Pittsburgh's five-game winning streak hasn't been from some shooting or goalie bender. They have a 53.4 xG% across that five-game winning streak, so they're playing some legitimately good hockey. 

A significant reason the Penguins continue to thrive at five-on-five is their top-six, led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Jake Guentzel, Crosby and Bryan Rust continue to dominate play at five-on-five, while Reilly Smith, Malkin and Rickard Rakell have fared well themselves. 

That's why the Devils will need to be sharp defensively tonight. Coach Lindy Ruff said after Tuesday's loss that the team's defensive coverage was good, and I agree with him. That loss was more on Akira Schmid having an off night than anything else. 

Aside from Dougie Hamilton's blunder on Nikolaj Ehlers' goal, the Devils should be in OK shape if they play the way they did defensively against the Jets. That leads us to our next point, though. 

Someone Has to Start Making Saves