Game Preview #47: New Jersey Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins

The Matchup: The New Jersey Devils (14-26-6) at the Pittsburgh Penguins (30-14-3). SBN Blog: Pensburgh.

The Time: 12:30 PM EST

The Broadcast: TV - MSG+

Goaltending Woes

As has been recently, but Wedgewood and Dell are proving themselves not to be starting goaltender caliber. Dell, in the previous start, gave up 4 goals in 15 shots, before getting pulled. Wedgewood was then put in goal, where he then let in 1 goal in 8 shots.

The season stats for the Devils goalies are just as ugly. Mackenzie Blackwood is the only goalie at or greater than .900 on the season in save percentage, which is ugly to say the least. Scott Wedgewood, likely today’s starter, is 3-6-3 with a .899 save percentage, while Aaron Dell is even worse is 1-5-0 with a .857 save percentage.

While Blackwood’s struggles can be rationalized to injury and COVID struggles, the other two goalies have quickly proven that they are not winning quality goalies. This is an area the Devils will need to improve moving forward.

Predicted Lines (Devils)

Kuokkanen - Hughes - Sharangovich
Zacha - Hischier - Bratt
Wood - McLeod - Bastian
Johnsson - Boqvist - Merkley

Murray - Tennyson
Siegenthaler - Severson
Butcher - Carrick

Predicted Lines (Penguins)

Guentzel - Crosby - Rust
McCann - Carter - Zucker
Aston-Reese - Blueger - Kapanen
Sceviour - Jankowski - Rodrigues

Dumoulin - Letang
Matheson - Ceci

Your Thoughts

Do you think the Devils can end their losing streak? Who will score? Who will win? Let me know in the comments below, and take care!