Devils vs. Penguins Preview: Stop the Bleeding

The New Jersey Devils have had success against the Penguins in recent seasons and have a favorable matchup to get back on track.

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The New Jersey Devils' playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread. While that may be the case, they shouldn't be throwing in the towel just yet. They have a favorable schedule this week, starting with a tilt against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team the Devils have played well against in recent seasons. Here are three things to watch. 

Penguins' Defense May Offer Devils an Opportunity

The Devils' offense has been sputtering under interim coach Travis Green. They're averaging just 2.44 expected goals per 60 minutes and scoring just 2.29 actual goals per 60 minutes. However, I think they have a favorable matchup tonight. 

Over their last ten games, the Penguins are allowing 2.9 expected goals per 60 minutes. The only teams allowing more xGs per 60 over their last ten games are the Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. 

Of course, the Devils played the Rangers and got completely shut down by them a week ago. But they did get the best of the Blues, one of their better outings under Green. The Devils managed 33 shots on goal that game and got by thanks to Timo Meier's hat trick. 

I'm not saying Meier will do that again, but I think there's reason to believe he and the Devils' other top-six forwards could have one of their better games under Green. Aside from the numbers, the Devils are a faster team than the Penguins, and it's not particularly close. 

Take out Jake Guentzel for Michael Bunting, and the Penguins are an even slower team now. Even with Jack Hughes not looking like he's anywhere close to 100 percent, I like the chances of him getting on the scoresheet and ending his six-game goal drought. 

If the Devils can't get their offense going against a Penguins team bleeding some quality shots and chances as of late, it will be a long final month of the season. Let's hope they can show some life tonight. 

Hughes & Holtz at Last?