Devils vs. Red Wings Preview: No Excuses

The New Jersey Devils have no excuse to no-show against a Detroit Red Wings team that's trending in the wrong direction.

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The New Jersey Devils are in a bit of a slump. Fortunately, tonight's opponent may offer a get-right spot heading into the three-day Christmas break. Here's what to watch against the Detroit Red Wings. 

Red Wings Trending in the Wrong Direction

The Red Wings got off to a hot start this season, but it was a bit of a mirage. Alex DeBrincat went on a shooting tear to lead them to that start, but the team's underlying numbers suggested their winnings way weren't sustainable. 

Since starting 11-6-3, the Red Wings are 5-7-1 over their last 12 games and have not played well. Their 45.71 expected goals percentage (xG%) over their previous ten games ranks 29th in the NHL. They're not generating offense, though part of that was due to missing Dylan Larkin with an injury. But they’re also giving up quite a bit defensively.  

This is not a Red Wings team the Devils should have too much trouble with. Their top two netminders — Alex Lyon and Ville Husso – are out with injuries. James Reimer started last night in a wild 7-6 shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers, meaning Michael Hutchinson is the likely starter tonight. 

Hutchinson had an .895 save percentage in the AHL before coming up to the NHL. His previous NHL stints have not gone well, either; he had an .877 SV% in 13 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022-23. Combined with the Red Wings' poor five-on-five play, there's no excuse for the Devils to no-show tonight. 

Given how Thursday's game against the Edmonton Oilers went, I'm expecting a fast start from the Devils against a Red Wings team that's on shaky ground and without their top two netminders. The Devils are a desperate team after three straight losses and need to show so. 

Devils Sporting New Line Combos

Devils coach Lindy Ruff went to some new line combos at practice yesterday. For the most part, they were solid:

• Toffoli - Hughes - Bratt

• Palat - Hischier - Lazar

• Meier - McLeod - Mercer

• Bastian - Haula - Holtz

Tyler Toffoli, Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt have been one of the Devils' best line combos this season, totaling a 62.45 xG% in just over 81 minutes together. Hughes and Bratt are always dynamite together, and placing Bratt alongside Hughes makes sense since Hughes is in a bit of a slump.