Devils vs. Wild: 3 Things to Watch in Rematch
The New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild will complete their season series with a rematch from Sunday, a game the Devils won 4-3.
After another three-day layoff, the New Jersey Devils return to the ice to take on the Minnesota Wild to complete a home-and-home and the season series between the two teams. The Devils took the first meeting 4-3 at the Prudential Center, but the Wild will have a key reinforcement. Let's preview tonight's tilt.
Boldy Returns for the Wild
The Devils did not have to deal with Matthew Boldy, who was out with an injury on Sunday. He's only played in two games so far this season, but he should be a significant addition to a Wild team that has struggled to generate five-on-five offense.
Those five-on-five struggles did show up in the team's first meeting, with the Devils controlling 54.51 percent of the expected goals (xG%). It's only a two-game sample, but Boldy is one of a handful of Wild skaters with an xG% above 50 percent.
Based on line combos at the morning skate, Boldy will slide onto the second line at right wing alongside Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson. He takes Pat Maroon's spot on that line, giving the Wild's top-six a more formidable look.
On Sunday, the Devils had to worry about keeping Kirill Kaprizov off the scoresheet, which they did. Tonight, they'll have to worry about keeping Kaprizov and Boldy in check, and they'll have to do it without Nico Hischier, who remains out with an upper-body injury.
The Devils' defense, which has been better lately, will need to be sharp. That's not always the easiest task on the road when the home team has last change, but they'll have to manage the puck well to make sure they aren't spending more time in their own end than they need to. Otherwise, Boldy and Kaprizov could make them pay.
Devils Power Play Should Thrive Again
It is early in the season, so you never know when a team's special teams unit can turn it around. But the Wild's penalty kill hasn't been very good to start 2023-24.
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