All About The Jersey - New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild: Game Stream #67A world class blog for Jersey's team: the New Jersey Devilshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47083/lou-fave.png2015-03-10T23:22:55-04:00http://www.allaboutthejersey.com/rss/stream/79447002015-03-10T23:22:55-04:002015-03-10T23:22:55-04:00Wild Deservedly Blew Out Devils, 2-6
<figure>
<img alt="Too late, Mr. Gelinas & Mr. Josefson. Vanek already scored by this picture." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_OF9wcPJ9FyqRxmwaQHZXURaDnc=/0x92:2653x1861/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45863216/usa-today-8436599.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Too late, Mr. Gelinas & Mr. Josefson. Vanek already scored by this picture. | Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The New Jersey Devils started off their road trip with a big thud as the Minnesota Wild blew them out in a 2-6 loss. This game recap summarizes how the Wild owned the Devils for most of the game in this deserving rout of a defeat.</p> <p>Not all blowout losses are necessarily blowouts from start to finish. In fact, there was some time in this game where the game was competitive. After the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a> controlled the game for ten minutes, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> actually managed to get their acts together. They strung some passes together. They controlled the puck on offense. They made <span>Devan Dubnyk</span> work and work often. Before one knows it, the Devils turned a 3-9 shot difference to 14-11. It would be the high point of the game. Even when <span>Sean Bergenheim</span> scored late in the first period, there was enough work done by the visitors to think that there could be a response. Then the rest of the game happened and the blowout was on.</p>
<p>The final score itself is hideous: a 2-6 loss. What was uglier were the difference in shooting attempts. The Wild out-attempted the Devils 70-45. So much for low-event hockey. Minnesota could've made it a lot worse with some better accuracy as only 38 of those 70 attempts got on target. With six goals, I don't think they mind lacking in accuracy. And those 38 shots included breakaways, odd-man rushes, shots from distance, shots up close, and all kinds of chaos around the net. <span>Cory Schneider</span> and <span>Keith Kinkaid</span> were forced to be active, flopping around much more than usual, just to stay in front of the game. As one may expect, the Devils' defensive effort was less than ideal to put it nicely.</p>
<p>It all fell apart in the second period. <span>Chris Stewart</span> was free to get a rebound seconds into the period to double the deficit. Seconds after a <span>Mark Fraser</span> penalty was killed where the Wild just stormed the Devils on the power play, <span>Jared Spurgeon</span> hammered in a hard shot to make it 0-3. <span>Dainius Zubrus</span> would kill the shutout with his first goal in seemingly forever (50 games). But that turned out to only be a consolation score minutes later when <span>Thomas Vanek</span> wasn't covered to put home a loose puck in front to make it 1-4. At that point, it was clear that this game was going to get uglier instead of getting prettier. The Wild just kept coming at the Devils in waves and the Devils had no real answer for them. Or at least, no real <i>constructive</i> answer considering their idea of defense was to be chasing the play and hoping Minnesota loses the puck.</p>
<p>The Wild just went from strength to strength in the third period. <span>Jason Pominville</span> received a killer pass from Spurgeon to be wide open in the high slot; he hammered the shot into the net. The Devils made a goalie change but the pressure continued. The Wild would finally get a power play goal - off another penalty by Fraser - when <span>Zach Parise</span> attempted to slam in a loose puck and Vanek got a piece of it before it got in. <span>Scott Gomez</span> would re-direct a <span>Steve Bernier</span> pass at the side of the net for another consolation goal, but the Wild were free to cruise for the rest of the game. Even so, the Devils were still out-attempted and out-shot in the third period.</p>
<p>The record will show that Dubnyk did make thirty stops, which is true. The Devils did make him work. But the Wild had the lion's share of more dangerous opportunities. They nearly scored on wraparounds multiple times. They were frequent green and red jerseys at the crease and in the slot with the Devils struggling to keep up. Schneider and Kinkaid made some big stops and they were still beaten - Schneider obviously more so than Kinkaid. Yet, the performance by the Devils skaters were abysmal that even Schneider's best performance of the season would make it unlikely that the Devils would have got something out of tonight. (Aside: You think the Devils finally realize that they can't expect their goalie to <i>always</i> bail out their mistake? I'm going with 'no' based on this season.) If it wasn't Mikael Granlund's line kicking the Devils around, then it was the <span>Mikko Koivu</span> line, then the Coyle line did work, and then the <span>Erik Haula</span> line got some work done. That's all four lines from Minnesota and for stretches at a time, the Devils had no answer for any of them.</p>
<p>Simply, the Devils lost big to a quality team like Minnesota and deserved to lose big. We've seen this many times earlier in this season. Tonight was just another example of the harsh reality of the 2014-15 campaign.</p>
<p><b>The Game Stats: </b>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/GS020997.HTM">NHL.com Game Summary</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/ES020997.HTM">NHL.com Event Summary</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/PL020997.HTM">NHL.com Play by Play Log</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/SS020997.HTM">NHL.com Shot Summary</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/TH020997.HTM">NHL.com Devils Time on Ice Log</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20142015&game=20997">Natural Stat Trick Corsi Charts</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://war-on-ice.com/game2.html?seasongcode=2014201520997">War on Ice Game Stats</a></p>
<p><b>The Opposition Opinion: </b><a href="http://www.hockeywilderness.com/2015/3/10/8188409/wild-get-possessed-and-beat-the-devils-6-2" target="_blank">Joe Bouley at Hockey Wilderness is very pleased with the Wild based on his recap.</a> As he should be, his favorite team laid a smack down on the Devils.</p>
<p><b>The Game Highlights: </b>There's a lot of Wild players doing good things in this video from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com">NHL.com.</a> Also: Zubrus scoring a goal.</p>
<p align="center"><iframe height="395" width="640" frameborder="0" src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2014020997-X-h"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Stunk: </b>Collectively, the defense stunk tonight. It's been a constant feeling - or rationalization - from many fans about the how the Devils have a young, developing defense. Tonight, they got owned. <span>Adam Larsson</span> was brutal. <span>Jon Merrill</span> was lost more often than not. Ditto for <span>Damon Severson</span>. The pairing of <span>Eric Gelinas</span> and Mark Fraser went about as well as expected, including a combined three penalties taken on plays where the Wild almost scored anyway. Even the veteran <span>Andy Greene</span> got picked on. Throw in some seeming-disinterest from the forwards (e.g. <span>Mike Cammalleri</span> on Stewart's goal, <span>Jacob Josefson</span> on Vanek's first) in terms of defending, and it's a mess. The team conceded nearly thirty shots in two periods and many of the six goals allowed featured the scorer being wide open. Schneider got lit up and pulled, but it would be rather unfair to pin this loss solely on him when this is what he has to work with. Rebounds happen, the Devils skaters stunk at cleaning them up. Oppositions try to find openings in the slot and they sometime happen, the Devils skaters stunk at denying those plays. Zone exits are key to take the pressure off the defense, the Devils skaters stunk at getting those. I cannot stress enough how bad the Devils were defensively against a good possession team.</p>
<p><b>Speed: </b>The Wild looked like cheetahs at times. It's not that they have super-fast players. Sure, they have some swift skaters. But it's all because they had the puck on their sticks way more often than not. The player with the puck is usually going to be faster than he is without it if only because he can make passes and decisions at moving the puck effectively. The Wild were great at that. In their stretches of dominance, they swarmed the Devils in their own end to win some more pucks back and keep the Devils on their heels. They caught the Devils in bad spots, leading to multiple odd man rushes and breakaways. Even a 2-on-0 due to puck watching in the neutral zone. The Devils are definitely a slow team. I don't think anyone can question that. That was magnified tonight because of how well the Wild controlled and moved the puck, not so much that the Wild have generally faster players. Although that might be true.</p>
<p><b>Shutout: </b>The Devils didn't get shutout on the scoreboard, they did in the penalty department. The Devils were guilty of four minor penalties, three of which were fouls on plays where the Wild nearly scored anyway. The Wild converted the third and scored second after the second ended; both on Fraser penalties, incidentally. It speaks to how dominant the Wild were tonight that they did not commit an infraction worthy of some time in the penalty box. Typically, those who have the puck a lot are going to be fouled. Typically, those who have the puck and look to make a move to score will likely be fouled. The Wild had the puck a lot and threatened to score in multiple ways. The Devils really didn't, not even when they ramped up the shot count in the first period. The Devils didn't even play well enough to deserve one foul drawn; which speaks further to how bad the Devils were tonight.</p>
<p><b>Standouts: </b>The Wild certainly were. Among them, Dubnyk played very well. Had he been too loose when the Devils would get some offense going, then perhaps this game goes differently. The Jonas Brodin-Ryan Suter pairing was excellent. Spurgeon should rightly be hailed as one of the stars of the game for his offensive contributions. Sean Bergenheim made life difficult for the Gelinas-Fraser pairing, as did <span>Kyle Brodziak</span>. Those two were flying all night long. The top line of Granlund, Parise, and Pominville were heavily featured and couldn't be slowed down with a combined nine shots on net, nineteen attempts on net, a goal, and an assist (I thought Parise put in the PPG, but whatever). Thomas Vanek had an <span>Adam Henrique</span> kind of night where he was in the right spot and finished the plays for scores. Lastly, the line of Stewart, <span>Nino Niederreiter</span>, and Koivu worked well. The Wild's other pick up by the trade deadline looked good and added a goal and an assist to his account.</p>
<p>OK, I named nearly half of the Wild's roster. The team that won 6-2 unsurprisingly had a lot of standout players.</p>
<p><b>Sigh: </b>I repeat, this game was something we've seen before. A good, playoff-bound team that is at least solid in possession proverbially dumped the Devils' books and gave them swirlies for the better part of sixty minutes. We've known that the Devils have been bad for months. It doesn't make the dulling pain from that fact any better. If you watched this entire game or know someone who did, then please give them a hug or something because the Devils were simply playing sad hockey tonight. Again.</p>
<p><b>Your Take: </b>Well, where do the Devils go from here? Denver on Thursday to play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche</a>. Can the Devils play more competently in their own end of the rink? Will they be able to force a penalty or two by controlling the puck? Can the Devils even control the puck almost as much of their opponents? Are there any real lessons to take out of this 2-6 loss to Minnesota? Please leave your answers and other thoughts <i>about the game</i> in the comments.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who followed along in the Gamethread and followed <a href="http://www.twitter.com/inlouwetrust" target="_blank">@InLouWeTrust</a> on Twitter. Thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2015/3/10/8188423/minnesota-wild-deservedly-dominated-new-jersey-devils-6-2-blowoutJohn Fischer2015-03-10T19:00:03-04:002015-03-10T19:00:03-04:00Devils at Wild: Gamethread #67
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DswTQ0xM1hVpa_3Ckld2VyMhDxM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827643/large_inlouwetrust.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>This is the gamethread for today's game between the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild. This is a post where users can discuss what happens before, during, and after the game until the recap is up.</p> <p><strong>The Time:</strong> 8:00 PM EST</p>
<p><strong>The Broadcast:</strong> TV: MSG+ 2, Radio: 660 AM & 101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><strong>The Matchup:</strong> The <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> (28-28-10) vs. The <a href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/?_ga=1.59678571.711266645.1426008652">Minnesota Wild</a> (36-23-7) SBN Blog: <a href="http://www.hockeywilderness.com/?_ga=1.165245817.711266645.1426008652">Hockey Wilderness.</a></p>
<p><strong>The Game Previews: </strong>John's preview from earlier <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2015/3/10/8179915/new-jersey-devils-at-minnesota-wild-game-preview-67">is right here.</a> For the opposition's point of view, feel free to drop by <a href="http://www.hockeywilderness.com/?_ga=1.165245817.711266645.1426008652">Hockey Wilderness.</a></p>
<p><strong style="font-weight: bold;">The Song for Tonight: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx5YVO0cxBw">"Roaming" by Torche<strong>.</strong></a> The Devils are away from home today so here is a little track about wandering the earth with no particular plan.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong style="font-weight: bold;">Gameday Info:</strong> <span>Cory Schneider</span> will get the start in net tonight. It appears there will be no lineup changes from the previous game for the Devils. <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/">Check in</a><strong> </strong>with Tom Gulitti for this and all the latest NJ Devils news.</p>
<p><strong style="font-weight: bold;">The Reminder of Rules: </strong>This is a place where you can comment about this game before, during, and after it's played before the recap is up. This is a place where we <em>primarily</em> discuss the Devils game. An odd mention of other NHL games is OK, but it shouldn't dominate discussion. All comments will be clean, respectful of each other, relevant to the game, and legal (read: no streams). Please refrain from super-big pictures (640 x 480 max) and NO .GIFs whatsoever to keep the gamethread moving for everyone. If you do post pictures make sure to post a title in the comment. Go Devils.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2015/3/10/8183925/new-jersey-devils-at-minnesota-wild-gamethread-67JT Sroka2015-03-10T07:05:02-04:002015-03-10T07:05:02-04:00Devils at Wild: Game Preview #67
<figure>
<img alt="Mikko Koivu will be going hard to the net. Will Cory Schneider, assuming he starts, fend him and the Wild off again?" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uSpnv3k921jGetKhAxG-B-yGY8c=/0x0:1783x1189/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45853990/usa-today-8199493.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mikko Koivu will be going hard to the net. Will Cory Schneider, assuming he starts, fend him and the Wild off again? | Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A three game road trip for the New Jersey Devils begins with the Minnesota Wild. This game preview will describe how the Wild have changed since the last Devils-Wild game in addition to the usual pleas for improvement for the Devils.</p> <p>A road trip begins against a playoff-bound opponent. They have some guy, Zach something, too.</p>
<p><b>The Time: </b>8:00 PM EDT</p>
<p><b>The Broadcast: </b>TV - MSG+2; Radio - 660 AM & 101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><b>The Matchup: </b>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> (28-28-10) at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a> (36-23-7; SBN Blog: <a href="http://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Hockey Wilderness</a>)</p>
<p><b>The Last Devils Game: </b>On Sunday afternoon, the Devils honored the 1995 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs">Stanley Cup</a> Championship team before they took on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a>. A sluggish first period featured <span>Adam Henrique</span> putting home a loose puck and Ryan White getting a piece of a Luke Schenn shot to make it 1-1. The Devils got into trouble in the second period with three penalties and a Flyers team that was driving the play during and around those power plays. Fortunately, the Devils not only killed all three penalties but <span>Jacob Josefson</span> followed up a <span>Stephen Gionta</span> shot and put home a rebound past Steve Mason for a shorthanded goal. After the kills, the Devils took over bit by bit. They would increase their lead when <span>Eric Gelinas</span> dropped The Truth to convert a power play late in the second period. The third period would prove fruitful overall. Adam Henrique forced the puck out after a defensive faceoff loss and got a 2-on-0 with <span>Steve Bernier</span>, and Henrique finished it to make it 4-1. The Flyers appeared to have a lifeline when Michael Raffl one-touched a White shot to get a shorthanded goal. Sean Couturier came very close to making it a one-goal game, but he missed. <span>Patrik Elias</span> got the puck, sprung Stephen Gionta for a breakaway, and the play was finished to end any hopes of a comeback at 5-2. <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2015/3/8/8173265/new-jersey-devils-apply-another-5-2-beatdown-on-the-philadelphia" target="_blank">The Devils beat the Second Rate Rivals and it felt so, so good.</a></p>
<p><b>The Last Wild Game: </b> While the Devils were beating down the Flyers - again - the Wild were hosting Colorado. The Wild doing plenty right early on, but they couldn't solve Seymon Varlamov. Cody McLeod was able to solve Devan Dubnyk late in the first to make it 0-1 for the visitors. The second period was a bit more even in terms of shots. Again, Minnesota couldn't get one in and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche</a> got another late period goal - this one from Zach Redmond. The third period provided a different script. Gabriel Landeskog converted an early power play to make it 0-3. The Wild decided to throw the kitchen sink offensively in response. They finally scored against Varlamov when <span>Chris Stewart</span>, well, missed his own dump-in and a back-checking Tyson Barrie knocked the puck past the goalie. Oops. The Wild were reaching for a miracle and pulled the score within one when <span>Thomas Vanek</span> jammed in a puck to make it 2-3. But that was at the 19:40 mark and the Wild couldn't get another miracle. Their five game winning streak was over. <a href="http://www.hockeywilderness.com/2015/3/8/8173111/wild-slipped-up-by-the-avalanche-lose-3-2" target="_blank">Joe Bouley has this recap of the loss at Hockey Wilderness.</a></p>
<p><b>The Last Devils-Wild Game: </b>Way back on November 11, the Wild came to Newark. The Devils were mired in a four-game losing streak and hoping to get something out of the night. They would, but not much would happen until the second period. <span>Seth Helgeson</span>, who made his NHL debut, took a shot and <span>Tuomo Ruutu</span> re-directed it to beat <span>Darcy Kuemper</span> to make it 1-0. Minutes later, the Devils would make it 2-0 when <span>Mike Cammalleri</span> put back a rebound off a Jaromir Jagr shot. <span>Cory Schneider</span> was excellent all night long. He made a lot of tough stops. Alas, he had a bad moment when he played a dumped in puck on a power play and didn't get back to his net fast enough. <span>Ryan Carter</span> recovered the puck and beat Schneider to make it 2-1. Schneider remained great outside of that moment. The Wild took a too many men call late, they still pulled Kuemper in the hopes of an equalizer, and <span>Travis Zajac</span> ended that with an ENG to convert the PP. The Devils won 3-1. <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2014/11/12/7200889/cory-schneider-starred-3-1-new-jersey-devils-win-over-minnesota-wild" target="_blank">My recap of the game is here.</a> Over at Hockey Wilderness, <a href="http://www.hockeywilderness.com/2014/11/11/7200617/new-jersey-devils-3-minnesota-wild-1-game-recap-cory-schneider-power-play-4-game-losing-streak" target="_blank">Tony Wiseau lamented the game in this recap.</a></p>
<p><b>The Goal: </b>Slow the game down to the Devils' pace. The Avs may have won against the Wild, but they needed their goaltender to be amazing as Minnesota came at them in waves in two out of three periods. While it's not a guarantee of success, I can't imagine the Devils leaving the Land of a Thousand Lakes with any points if they just let the Wild dictate the pace. It'll be important for the Devils to not only maintain control but not try to force so many rushes going forward. I'm confident that Minnesota's defense is faster and more aware than Philadelphia's defense.</p>
<p><b>The Wild As A Team: </b><a href="http://war-on-ice.com/teamtable.html" target="_blank">According to War on Ice</a>, the Wild are a good possession team with a 51.8% CF. They're not a low-event squad at 5-on-5 with one of the <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/teamtable.html?mansit=3&scoresit=8&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=5&xaxis=3&yaxis=27&saxis=41&caxis=4&start0=20142015&end0=20142015&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2015-03-10&splitseasons=1&usedaterange=0&tablegroup=5" target="_blank">better shots for per sixty minutes rate in the league (30.1) and a solid shots against per sixty minutes rate (26.5).</a> They even have one of <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/teamtable.html?mansit=3&scoresit=8&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=5&xaxis=3&yaxis=27&saxis=41&caxis=4&start0=20142015&end0=20142015&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2015-03-10&splitseasons=1&usedaterange=0&tablegroup=5" target="_blank">the better shooting percentages at 5-on-5 in the NHL at 8.4%.</a> Their <a href="http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?season=20142015&gameType=2&viewName=penaltyKill" target="_blank">penalty kill is among the league's best with a success rate of 86.3%.</a> There's plenty good with this Wild team. It shouldn't be a surprise they're firmly entrenched in a wild card spot for the playoffs, though they could flip spots with Winnipeg.</p>
<p>So what's been holding them back? This season, it appears to be goaltending. As a team, their <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://war-on-ice.com/teamtable.html?mansit=3&scoresit=8&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=5&xaxis=3&yaxis=27&saxis=41&caxis=4&start0=20142015&end0=20142015&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2015-03-10&splitseasons=1&usedaterange=0&tablegroup=5" target="_blank">even strength save percentage is one of the lowest in the league at 91.1%.</a> They're not up there in terms of average goals per game, but it's led to some pretty poor results. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?season=20142015&gameType=2&team=MIN&position=G&country=&status=&viewName=specialTeamSaves&sort=&ord=" target="_blank">The save percentages for Darcy Kuemper, Nicklas Backstrom, and two games of John Curry have been ugly.</a> The good news for them is that they have received recent help in the form of Devan Dubnyk. He's been vastly superior in that regard. He should be starting tonight, for what it's worth.</p>
<p>Additionally, their power play success rate finally broke double digits but <a href="http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?season=20142015&gameType=2&viewName=powerPlay" target="_blank">they're third from last at 14.7%.</a> That certainly does not help their cause. They're not like Wild teams of years past where goals came at a premium, but it's another aspect of their game that could be better. I will say that they've been more successful at home. The Devils shouldn't feel too free to give them too many chances to convert.</p>
<p><b>The Wild's Key Players: </b>You didn't see him on November 11. You will tonight. It's Zach Parise. He's the Wild's top player. <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/playertable.html?mansit=3&scoresit=8&homeawaysit=1&shotattsit=1&names=&team=MIN&pos=1&start1=2014-10-01&xaxis=52&yaxis=86&caxis=9&saxis=93&mintoi=0&tab=2&usedaterange=0&start0=20142015&end0=20142015&end1=2015-03-10&splitseasons=1" target="_blank">He faces the toughest competition, he's been good at driving the play</a>, and he's constantly in motion on offense. Parise is never shy about shooting; in fact, at 202 shots, he's only behind his common linemate <span>Jason Pominville</span> for the team lead in shots. Unlike Pominville, Parise's shooting percentage is a potent 12.9% so he's got 26 goals and 24 assists to lead the team in goals and points. Needless to say, Parise is the Wild's most dangerous forward and the Devils will have to contend with him.</p>
<p>Don't sleep on his linemates either. <a href="http://leftwinglock.com/line-combinations/minnesota-wild/?team=minnesota-wild&strength=EV&gametype=1" target="_blank">According to Left Wing Lock</a>, that's Pominville and Mikael Granlund. They're both talented forwards. Pominville is the team leader in shots with 212. While not so many have gone in, fifteen goals and thirty one assists is nothing to sneeze at. Granlund hasn't been as productive with only seven goals, twenty two assists, and 79 shots. But with wingers like Parise and Pominville, he just needs to keep the play going forward and the puck going to his guys. The Devils should do what they can to keep the Zajac line as well as the <span>Adam Larsson</span> and <span>Andy Greene</span> pairing against them.</p>
<p>Of course, the Wild feature more than just one dangerous forward line. Nino Neiderreiter has been very productive on a second line with twenty one goals off of 122 shots. He's been skating with the excellent-in-possession <span>Mikko Koivu</span>. Koivu's not shy from the scoresheet with ten goals, twenty eight assists, and 156 shots. Chris Stewart was with those two in their last game. He got a lucky goal against Colorado, but when he gets in form, he could make a tricky unit to deal with trickier. If it doesn't work out, the Wild could move Thomas Vanek - third on the team in scoring with fourteen goals ans twenty six assists - up with Koivu and Neiderreiter. Vanek has been doing OK this season. If he doesn't get moved up, then expect to see him with <span>Charlie Coyle</span> and <span>Justin Fontaine</span>. The Wild have legitimate secondary scorers that will make match-ups difficult for the Devils.</p>
<p>Speaking of difficult, the Wild's blueline is going to provide a far better challenge than the Flyers. <span>Ryan Suter</span> is the stud. He's more than just productive with two goals and twenty nine assists. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?season=20142015&gameType=2&team=MIN&position=S&country=&status=&viewName=summary&sort=&ord=" target="_blank">He <i>averages</i> over 29 minutes per game.</a> What's more is that, <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/playertable.html?mansit=3&scoresit=8&homeawaysit=1&shotattsit=1&names=&team=MIN&pos=6&start1=2014-10-01&xaxis=52&yaxis=86&caxis=9&saxis=93&mintoi=0&tab=2&usedaterange=0&start0=20142015&end0=20142015&end1=2015-03-10&splitseasons=1" target="_blank">per War on Ice</a>, he tends to win his match-ups which is impressive if only for how long he does it every night. His partner Jonas Brodin has been excellent as well. Beyond them, <span>Jared Spurgeon</span> and <span>Marco Scandella</span> have been a very good second pairing. As with the forwards, the depths of their, well, depth isn't so strong but with the guys playing significant minutes doing so well, the Wild have earned their success so far. Now that they have a goaltender who at least has been playing well right now, it's more apparent.</p>
<p><b>No Practice So I'll Guess Again: </b>The Devils decided to not have practice today, <a href="https://twitter.com/TGfireandice/status/575015734411194369" target="_blank">as Tom Gulitti tweeted on Monday.</a> Since the team beat Philly and doesn't have much to play for (why else would <span>Keith Kinkaid</span> get that game?), I'm not expecting too many changes. If it were up to me, then I'd put one of <span>Martin Havlat</span> or <span>Michael Ryder</span> put back into the lineup in order to move <span>Peter Harrold</span> back to defense in place of <span>Mark Fraser</span>. That along with a goaltending change. No, a pairing of Eric Gelinas and Harrold isn't good but it'll at least be faster than Gelinas-Fraser. If I'm Mike Yeo, then I try to pick on that pairing more than anything else. That said, I'm not in charge so I expect the only change to be in net: Cory Schneider to start after getting Sunday off. That I'm in favor of because Schneider has been great. I just hope he doesn't have to be super-great to keep the game competitive.</p>
<p>Outside of the lineup, I'd like to see the Devils build on Sunday's game. Henrique got two goals due to his speed. I'd like to see him use it more. Travis Zajac won a lot of pucks on the forecheck. While the Wild's defensemen are way better, I'd like to see Zajac be active in trying to win pucks. I'd like to see Gionta and Josefson build on their games. Ditto Steve Bernier, who managed to get three assists in the last game. No one so much dominated the Flyers as it was a bunch of guys doing well. So I'd like to see that to continue, if possible.</p>
<p><b>Your Take: </b>The Devils begin their last road trip into the Western Conference for this season. Will this beginning end well? Will it be a repeat of the last Devils-Wild game? Or will a playoff-bound opponent bring the Devils down to reality? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about tonight's game in the comments. Thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2015/3/10/8179915/new-jersey-devils-at-minnesota-wild-game-preview-67John Fischer