All About The Jersey - Game Stream #25: New Jersey Devils at Carolina HurricanesA world class blog for Jersey's team: the New Jersey Devilshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47083/lou-fave.png2015-12-03T22:50:21-05:00http://www.allaboutthejersey.com/rss/stream/96034812015-12-03T22:50:21-05:002015-12-03T22:50:21-05:00Devils Entertained Their Dads, Blew Away Canes
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<img alt="In lieu of a picture from tonight's game, here's a picture of Jacob Josefson from another road game this season." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PN-CFYMVkU0ptefrnYHtz6LfY7E=/0x0:2232x1488/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47798741/usa-today-8952820.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>In lieu of a picture from tonight's game, here's a picture of Jacob Josefson from another road game this season. | Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With their dads in attendance, the New Jersey Devils players played quite well and blew away the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-1 with a three-goal second period. This game recap goes into the many positives in this game, who played well, and more.</p> <p>For the first time, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> made this trip about the players', staff's, and coaches' dads. They were present with the team on Tuesday, traveled with the team down on Wednesday, and watched tonight's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Carolina Hurricanes</a>. Given the final result of a 5-1 win, I'm sure there will be no resistance to doing this again next year. The dads were certainly all pleased. So were the other Devils fans at the game and following it all around the world.</p>
<p>You wouldn't believe it by the score, but it wasn't as simple of the Devils just dominating the Canes. The Hurricanes played quite well at 5-on-5. They kept it even from the first period onward and they attacked frequently as the deficit grew. What did them in tonight was has been doing them in all season. The Devils' special teams were superior with another perfect night on the penalty kill, a power play goal, and two goals scored seconds after power plays ended. Goaltending was clearly in New Jersey's favor. <span>Keith Kinkaid</span> was beaten only once but wasn't tested all that much among 31 shots against. <span>Eddie Lack</span> came into this game with very poor save percentages and leaves it worse for wear. He had more to deal with out of 27 shots, such as multiple one-on-one situations; but the guy got beaten five times. That helps no one. The Canes can boast out-attempting New Jersey 62-50 in all situations and 51-35 at even strength. Yet, such a boast rings hollow with five goals conceded. Goaltending, a low shooting percentage, and special teams have undercut Carolina all season and it made a big difference tonight. So that didn't exactly surprise me.</p>
<p>What was I surprised by was how poor the Canes were in their own end. Given that they have one of the lower shots against rates in the league, I would have expected better play. The Devils' forecheck just gave them issues throughout the night, allowing for extra zone time for the Devils. Further, the goals conceded all came from moments of defensive lapses.</p>
<p>Let's go over them: <span>Mike Cammalleri</span> scored in the first period off a great give and go with <span>Tyler Kennedy</span> (his first point as a Devil, his 200th of his career). No Cane could pick off the long lateral passes of that give-and-go despite their length. <span>Lee Stempniak</span> played <span>Adam Henrique</span> into the Carolina zone perfectly, leaving him all alone with Lack. Henrique torched Lack with a beautiful backhander. That goal came at the end of the first two minutes of a double minor. Seconds after the second two minutes, <span>Stephen Gionta</span> got free to glove down a puck, skate around the net, and beat Lack and <span>John-Michael Liles</span> to the post. Late in the second period, <span>Eric Gelinas</span> lays a hit on <span>Andrej Nestrasil</span>. Cammalleri passes it up-ice to <span>Jacob Josefson</span>, who's all alone with a defender and <span>Kyle Palmieri</span> as the other Canes just got caught in New Jersey's end. Josefson looks pass all the way and beats Lack with a shot. Lastly, the Canes' PK couldn't get a clearance at the end of a power play in the third period. <span>John Moore</span> kept it in, passed it across to <span>Patrik Elias</span>, who made a killer pass down low to Cammalleri. At a tight angle by the goal line, Cammalleri slid it in by a completely unaware Canes defense. On all five of those goals, Canes were caught in bad positions and the Devils took full advantage.</p>
<p>It could have been worse as the Devils got other one-on-one situations with Lack late in the game. The Canes' defense just got ripped apart when the opportunity presented itself. That was something I did not expect. It definitely led to tonight's big result.</p>
<p>The only real negative to come out of this game was that <span>Travis Zajac</span> left the game in the first period with an upper body injury. He did not return and it looks like he won't play tomorrow. John Hynes had to do some creative double-shifting before ultimately moving Patrik Elias to center. Jacob Josefson still got extra shifts to help fill in the gap. The Devils definitely made the most of it. It's still a notable absence when one of the team's top two centers goes out. Hopefully it's a short absence.</p>
<p>All the same, every Devils fan should be very happy with this game. It featured five goals, including a brace from Cammalleri and the first goals of the season for Gionta and Josefson. Kinkaid did well in a start, that should help him get more minutes later. The defense was largely good despite the amount of shots conceded; whereas the Devils kept getting odd man rushes and breaking down the defense, the Devils didn't allow many in response to Carolina. Special teams were a big plus. Even Brian O'Neil and <span>Stefan Matteau</span> - especially Matteau - played well. The Devils' dads were pleased, I'm pleased, coach John Hynes sounded pleased in his post-game press conference, and you should be pleased too.</p>
<p><b>The Game Stats: </b>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20152016/GS020374.HTM">NHL.com Game Summary</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20152016/ES020374.HTM">NHL.com Event Summary</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20152016/PL020374.HTM">NHL.com Play by Play Log</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20152016/SS020374.HTM">NHL.com Shot Summary</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20152016&game=20374">Natural Stat Trick Advanced Stats</a></p>
<p><b>The Opposition Opinion: </b>Check out <a href="http://www.canescountry.com/">Canes Country</a> for an opposition's take on this game.</p>
<p><b>The Game Highlights: </b>The Devils didn't just score five goals, they scored five beautiful goals. Check them out in this video from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com">NHL.com</a>:</p>
<p align="Center"><iframe height="395" width="640" frameborder="0" src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2015020374-X-h"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Breaking Streaks: </b>Stephen Gionta and Jacob Josefson did not just score their first goals of the season tonight. They scored their first goals since last season. Josefson's last goal was on April 4, 2015 against Our Hated Rivals. Gionta's previous marker was further back. It was the game decider on March 14, 2015 against Arizona. Those are 27 and 34 game droughts, respectively. They have to feel like the weight of the world is off their backs. I'm especially happy for Josefson. Whereas Gionta is used to not really getting many chances as he's a fourth liner and Stephen Gionta (although tonight, he had three shots out of six attempts), Josefson has had some glorious opportunities to score earlier this season. He's been firing the puck. Only tonight, one finally went in. And it was on a shot where he didn't even look at the goalie.</p>
<p><b>The Hottest Mike: </b>Mike Cammalleri took two shots tonight - they both went in. Cammalleri was happy to defer and keep attacks going and it worked out for the most part. His feed to Josefson to create that 2-on-1 was excellent and I loved his pass on the rush to Kennedy that he ultimately finished. He's hot, he's been great going forward, and I can only hope it continues.</p>
<p><b>How To Make a Case for a Roster Spot: </b>Stefan Matteau didn't have a good performance tonight. He had a <i>great </i>performance. As a bottom-six, kind-of energy guy, kind-of big forward down low, Matteau did it all. Matteau was on a power play unit, occupying space by the crease and he made his presence felt. He even pulled the <span>Wayne Simmonds</span> move of posting up at the crease, which nearly beat Lack early. Matteau was swift, physical, and aggressive with the puck. He took eight shooting attempts, four got on Lack, and he wasn't too far from scoring. He also took part of one of the chippier events of the game, where he threw down with <span>Justin Faulk</span> (!) during a Devils power play (!!) after several shoves in the corner. Taking out the other team's top defenseman for seven minutes? Yeah, that's a plus for New Jersey. One of his few blemishes in his performance tonight was his hooking penalty in the first period. Still, he brought energy, he made good plays on and off the puck, and he showed he can belong on a power play even if he's just a big guy in front.</p>
<p>Matteau played like he wants to stay in the lineup and badly. He's been on the bench for some time, scratches to <span>Bobby Farnham</span> and <span>Sergey Kalinin</span> allowed him and O'Neill to return tonight. Matteau certainly made the most of it. I like his upside more than Farnham's, for sure. I think he's definitely earned more games. It'll be hard for Hynes to disagree with a night like this one.</p>
<p><b>Kinkaid Solid: </b>Keith Kinkaid played more like he did last season. Solid in positioning, quick to cover the puck, frequently covered the puck, and didn't leave too many loose pucks. There were a handful of reaction stops he had to make. The one goal that beat him was off a really good shot by <span>Brad Malone</span>. He did see it coming, though it could have been prevented had <span>Adam Larsson</span> knocked the puck out further - or, better, not fall down. The goal didn't shake Kinkaid and he acquitted himself well under pressure. He even kept his cool when <span>Eric Staal</span> knocked off his mask in the third; although, Adam Henrique certainly didn't. This is the sort of play one hopes to see from a #2 goalie; it's another positive in a night full of them.</p>
<p><b>Spreading the Minutes: </b>Given the large lead, Hynes had the opportunity to give additional shifts to players that normally wouldn't feature all that often in the final ten minutes of the game. With a game against Philly tomorrow and already down one forward, this was a good idea. No one played more than twenty one minutes, everyone except for Zajac got at least ten and a half minutes. It speaks to how comfortable the coaches were with the four goal lead to give more shifts to <span>Jon Merrill</span>, Eric Gelinas, Kennedy, <span>Jordin Tootoo</span>, O'Neill, Matteau, etc. This should mean the top players should be a little fresher before hosting Philly.</p>
<p><b>A Finer Moment: </b>Let's go back to that Josefson goal. The play really begins when Gelinas lays a well-timed hit on Nestrasil. One could argue it could have been a penalty. The fans were certainly expecting one. Instead, the Canes just kind of stop, the puck got free to Cammalleri, and then the pass was made up-ice. I am highlighting this moment because it was an example of Gelinas <i>correctly</i> checking someone. It separated the man from the puck and the best case scenario happened - a counter-attack was created. Maybe it could have been penalized, but it wasn't. It feels good to note that a notable part of Gelinas' night was in his own zone and it was a positive play.</p>
<p><b>As Expected: </b>The Canes' best attacks of the night came from their top line. While Malone was the scorer, <span>Elias Lindholm</span>, Eric Staal, and <span>Victor Rask</span> were the more consistent threat to the Devils' skaters. They combined for nine of Carolina's 31 shots tonight. Lindholm came into this one hot with a five-game point streak; good on Kinkaid and the Devils to make sure it wouldn't be six. <span>Jordan Staal</span> and his unit had some strong moments, and the Faulk-Ron Hainsey pairing helped make that Rask line go. As I thought, they would drive the offense. It just wouldn't go for them, which is part of the story of the season for Carolina.</p>
<p><b>Blood Was the Turning Point: </b>Rarely is there a clear turning point in a hockey game, but there was one tonight. The Devils were winning 1-0 when <span>Jeff Skinner</span> accidentally struck Lee Stempniak in the mouth with his stick. The ref took a closer look, saw blood, and decided to make it a four minute power play at the 9:04 mark. Henrique scored a second before the first minor ended and Gionta scored shortly after the second one. Good fortune that the ref saw the blood and changed the call. The original two minutes maybe could have yielded a different result. Maybe they kill it off; or maybe they only concede one and Gionta never gets near the net for his score. Of course, the four minutes were correctly given and so the Devils made it 3-0 before Carolina could really get back into the game. That was massive for this result.</p>
<p><b>One Last Thought: </b>After several struggles against teams beneath the Devils in the standings, this one felt real good to watch and write about. Hopefully it'll give the Devils something to build on as they'll be facing more of these teams in December. The mentality - the forecheck never really stopped tonight - and the tactics were great. It should help them in future games against opponents closer to Carolina in the standings.</p>
<p><b>Your Take: </b>The Devils blew out the Hurricanes, 5-1, and made their dads and their fans happy in the process. What's your take on tonight's performance? Which one of the five goals was your favorite? Who do you think played the best on the Devils tonight? What should the Devils learn from this win ahead of their game against the Second Rate Rivals tomorrow? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about tonight's victory in the comments.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who commented in the Gamethread and those who followed the site's Twitter account: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/aatjerseyblog" target="_blank">@AATJerseyBlog</a>. Thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2015/12/3/9846962/new-jersey-devils-entertained-their-dads-blew-out-carolina-hurricanesJohn Fischer2015-12-03T18:00:02-05:002015-12-03T18:00:02-05:00Gamethread #25: Devils at Hurricanes
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<p>The New Jersey Devils will visit the Carolina Hurricanes in the first half of a back-to-back set tonight. This gamethread is a place for users to discuss tonight's game until the recap is up.</p> <p><strong>The Time: </strong>7:00 PM EST</p>
<p><strong>The Broadcast: </strong>TV - MSG+; Radio - 660 AM & 101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><strong>The Matchup: </strong>The <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Jersey Devils</a> (12-10-2) vs. the <a href="https://www.canescountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Hurricanes</a> (8-12-4; SBN Blog: <a href="http://www.canescountry.com/">Canes Country</a>)</p>
<p><strong>A Song for Tonight: </strong> The hardest thing to come out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is probably Hundredth. Here's one of the bigger hits, from their second full length <em>Let Go</em>, this is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR8-FRPGXk8">"Weathered Town."</a> Take your chance to escape - if one exists.</p>
<p>T<strong>he Reminder of Rules: </strong>The rules remain the rules. Here's a quick reminder. Please keep your comments clean, legal, and all about the game itself. Other scores are OK, but let's make sure the comments here are primarily about the Devils and this game. Also, let's respect each other, there's no need for drama or unwelcome nature of any sort. This is a gamethread, <em>let's focus on the game.</em> Thank you for reading and commenting. Go Devils!</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2015/12/3/9839470/gamethread-25-new-jersey-devils-at-carolina-hurricanesJohn Fischer2015-12-03T07:00:01-05:002015-12-03T07:00:01-05:00Game Preview #25: Devils at Hurricanes
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<img alt="Back in February, Stephen Gionta chased down Ron Hainsey. Tonight, they can do it again - in Carolina." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/K3XULPvkPi4ykD3-4pTCv8cVugk=/0x135:3000x2135/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47790365/GettyImages-464077658.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Back in February, Stephen Gionta chased down Ron Hainsey. Tonight, they can do it again - in Carolina. | Elsa/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The New Jersey Devils will visit the Carolina Hurricanes in the first half of a back-to-back set tonight. This game preview goes into what Carolina is strong in, what they are so, so weak in, who to watch for, and more about this game.</p> <p>Another matchup with a team with a worse record. At least it isn't Tuesday.</p>
<p><b>The Time: </b>7:00 PM EST</p>
<p><b>The Broadcast: </b>TV - MSG+; Radio - 660 AM & 101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><b>The Matchup: </b>The <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Jersey Devils</a> (12-10-2) at the <a href="https://www.canescountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Hurricanes</a> (8-12-4; SBN Blog: <a href="http://www.canescountry.com/">Canes Country</a>)</p>
<p><b>The Last Devils Game: </b>On Tuesday night, the Devils hosted Colorado. Colorado has the reputation backed up by the numbers that they have been a bad possession team. You wouldn't have known from the first two periods in this game. They matched the Devils shot-for-shot for two periods. Even when the <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Avalanche</a> scored two goals in the second period, this did not change. For those goals, speed was involved. <span>Matt Duchene</span> picked up an arced clearance by <span>Erik Johnson</span>, sped towards the left side and before <span>John Moore</span> could step up on him, Duchene fired a wrister across his body. <span>Cory Schneider</span> got a piece of it, but the puck dropped into the net for the goal. Minutes later, <span>Lee Stempniak</span> gets denied by <span>Reto Berra</span>. The Avalanche recover the rebound and strike back on a counter-attack. While the Devils got three men back, no one was in a position to pick up <span>Tyson Barrie</span> coming in wide on the left side. <span>Jack Skille</span> laid a great pass to him and just after Schneider got over, Barrie beat him shortside. The Devils couldn't get back into the game until early in the third period. <span>Travis Zajac</span> won a faceoff, <span>Kyle Palmieri</span> immediately fired it towards the net, the puck hit off <span>Nate Guenin</span>, and it beat Berra. The Devils proceeded to control most of the third period, looking for that second goal. But as time went on, the Devils became too loose on offense, the Avalanche defense tightened up, and the visitors hit back enough on offense to keep the Devils honest. The Devils would not get a second goal, they fell to the Avs, 1-2. <a href="http://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2015/12/1/9833596/new-jersey-devils-trapped-by-colorado-avalanche-1-2" target="_blank">My recap of the loss is here.</a></p>
<p><b>The Last Hurricanes Game: </b>On Monday night, the Hurricanes went into the World's Most Overrated Arena to play the <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a>. The Rangers lost three in a row. Perhaps the Canes could make it four in a row. Those hopes were quickly dashed with a quick goal by <span>Mats Zuccarello</span> in the first period. Late in the first period, <span>Oscar Lindberg</span> converted a power play to make it 0-2. The Canes would respond in the second period. They started tearing up the shot-count and it wouldn't be long into the second before they hit the scoreboard. Jordan Staal got a quick one in the second period. Unfortunately, Cam Ward let up a real soft one to <span>Chris Kreider</span> about a minute later. The comeback effort took another hit at about the 15:49 mark when <span>Derick Brassard</span> finished a play Ward inadvertently started. The sort of play you'd yell at Schneider or <span>Johan Hedberg</span> for being out of the net. All hope was not lost. <span>Victor Rask</span> made it a 2-4 game before the end of the second. Hope grew larger when Chris Terry scored before the eight and half minute mark in the third period. Alas, the Canes tried but could not beat <span>Henrik Lundqvist</span> a fourth time out of 36 shots (NY took only 22). Carolina lost 3-4 in Manhattan. <a href="http://www.canescountry.com/2015/11/30/9824296/rangers-4-hurricanes-3" target="_blank">Bob Wage has this recap at Canes Country</a> and <a href="http://www.canescountry.com/2015/12/1/9826500/game-analysis-hurricanes-at-rangers" target="_blank">Cory Lavalette has a more analytical take on the game in this post at CC.</a></p>
<p><b>The Goal: </b>Make special teams count. One of the reasons why Carolina has the record that they have is that their special teams have had really poor success rates this season. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?reportType=season&report=teamsummary&season=20152016&gameType=2&aggregate=0" target="_blank">According to NHL.com and before Wednesday's games</a>, their power play has the worst conversion rate in the NHL at 12.5% and their penalty killing success rate is third from last at 74.5%. With the Devils' penalty kill playing as well as it has been, I think they should be fine against a punchless Canes power play. It's the other half that commands a bit more attention. While <a href="http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?reportType=season&report=penaltykill&season=20152016&gameType=2&aggregate=0" target="_blank">the Canes can boast being shorthanded fewer times than anyone else in the NHL</a>, it's been a source of pain for the squad. It's something the Devils' power play should seek to exploit this evening. It is possible; their first power play against Colorado was quite good. If they can keep it simple on zone entries and don't over-pass the puck, then they should be able to find success against a squad that has <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/teamtable.html?mansit=5&scoresit=2&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=6&playoffs=All&xaxis=3&yaxis=27&saxis=48&caxis=4&start0=20152016&end0=20152016&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2015-12-02&splitseasons=1&usedaterange=0&tablegroup=6" target="_blank">the highest shots against per sixty minute rate in shorthanded situations</a> and a team save percentage of 82.9% (<a href="http://war-on-ice.com/teamtable.html?mansit=5&scoresit=2&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=6&playoffs=All&xaxis=3&yaxis=27&saxis=48&caxis=4&start0=20152016&end0=20152016&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2015-12-02&splitseasons=1&usedaterange=0&tablegroup=6" target="_blank">fourth lowest in the NHL per War on Ice</a>). If they can get a goal or two in man advantage situations - continuing to make the PK a sore spot for Carolina, then that should go a long way to help them achieve a good result tonight.</p>
<p><b>The Goaltending Problem for Carolina: </b>The Carolina Hurricanes are actually not a bad team at all at even strength. <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/teamtable.html?mansit=3&scoresit=2&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=1&playoffs=All&xaxis=3&yaxis=27&saxis=48&caxis=4&start0=20152016&end0=20152016&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2015-12-02&splitseasons=1&usedaterange=0&tablegroup=1" target="_blank">Their Corsi For percentage in 5-on-5 play is the second highest in the league at 54.6% per War on Ice.</a> Their<b> </b>shooting rates in 5-on-5 play have an excellent split: <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/teamtable.html?mansit=3&scoresit=2&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=6&playoffs=All&xaxis=3&yaxis=27&saxis=48&caxis=4&start0=20152016&end0=20152016&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2015-12-02&splitseasons=1&usedaterange=0&tablegroup=6" target="_blank">29.4/60 minutes for and 24.5/60 minutes against.</a> This is a team that can control games, be strong in their own end, and make opposing defenses sweat. Just ask the Rangers, who got out-shot 36-22 by them. Score effects aside, that's a telling deficit. This and the fact that they have the fewest shorthanded situations in the NHL suggests to me that this is a team that is well-coached. It suggests to me the players are utilized well.</p>
<p>Yet, they have this bad record. Despite their strength in possession, even strength play has been a big negative in terms of goals. Their goal differential in 5-on-5 play is a miserable -13 with 32 goals scored and 45 allowed. Shooting 5.5% as a team is rather cold, <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/teamtable.html?mansit=3&scoresit=2&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=1&playoffs=All&xaxis=3&yaxis=27&saxis=48&caxis=4&start0=20152016&end0=20152016&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2015-12-02&splitseasons=1&usedaterange=0&tablegroup=1" target="_blank">it's the fourth lowest percentage per War on Ice</a>. But the big shocker to me was their goaltending. Sticks run hot and cold, but a team save percentage of 90.4% is just painful. Only Calgary has had it worse. Unlike the <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Flames</a>, the Canes still believe Cam Ward is a starter.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=goaliebystrength&season=20152016&gameType=2&aggregate=0&teamId=12&pos=G" target="_blank">Here are the save percentages for both Ward and backup Eddie Lack at NHL.com:</a> At even strength, Ward is rocking a 90.5% and Lack is at 88.8%. In penalty killing situations, Ward has a more respectable 84.5% while Lack has an abysmal 72.7%. At least their power play save percentages aren't hideous. It's possible, probable even, that both goalies are better than these percentages. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8475663" target="_blank">Lack did post a 92.3% save percentage in all situations last season, after all.</a> But Ward hasn't posted anything better than 91.5% in all situations since 2012. Yet, he keeps ending up as the team leader in games played when healthy. Ward keeps ending up being the #1 goalie on this team. In recent years, I cannot help but think that this has held the team back. This recent game against New York featured two more reminders that Ward has been problematic in the crease. If I were a Canes fan, I would be praying to everyone for a league-average caliber goalie. Lack or even Ward may rebound, but waiting over 20 games for that to happen is just too much.</p>
<p>As for tonight, <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/canes-now/article47566700.html" target="_blank">Chip Alexander of the News & Observer reported yesterday that Lack will start this game.</a> With the Canes' goalies playing as "well" as this, the Devils should aim to keep it simple on offense. Against Colorado, there were too many instances where the Devils delayed or deferred on a good shot in the hopes of a great play. There are times to do this, but when the goalie's unaware or the defense is scrambling or there's an odd man rush or a puck was just turned over to the Devils, then it's perfectly fine to just release a quick shot. Even if the goalie does get a stop on it, there could be a rebound or something else to take advantage of. Carolina's defense is probably too good to breakdown easily, so whenever the opportunities are available, then the Devils have to take them and take them quickly.</p>
<p><b>Defensive Leader: </b>Leading a stingy Canes blueline is Justin Faulk. He's not just the team's leader in average ice time per game, but <a href="http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=20152016&gameType=2&aggregate=0&teamId=12&pos=S" target="_blank">he's also their leading scorer with eight goals and ten assists and leading shot taker with 76.</a> Given he averages over 25 minutes per game, plenty of the offense and defense runs through Mr. Faulk. What power play success they have achieved, Faulk was likely involved given his nine power play points. He's an excellent defenseman and having a veteran, 34-year old Ron Hainsey as his partner hasn't slowed him down at all. Were he on a better team, you'd hear a lot more about how good Faulk is. Instead, you and the Devils will get to witness it firsthand tonight.</p>
<p>As Faulk-Hainsey take on the toughs, <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/playertable.html?mansit=3&scoresit=2&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=6&playoffs=All&names=&team=CAR&pos=6&start1=2015-10-01&xaxis=61&yaxis=96&caxis=9&saxis=103&mintoi=0&tab=1&usedaterange=0&start0=20152016&end0=20152016&end1=2015-12-02&splitseasons=1" target="_blank">the others have done quite good in their roles per War on Ice.</a> Rookies Noah Hanifin, Brett Pesce, and <span>Jaccob Slavin</span> been very productive but they haven't been run over at all. <span>Ryan Murphy</span>, who could return to the Carolina lineup tonight, hasn't been shabby either. John-Michael Liles has been perfectly fine as another veteran presence like Hainsey. Faulk is most definitely the star of this group. In a few years, he could be leading a very strong core provided Murphy and Hanifin reach their potentials. As it stands, they haven't allowed a lot of shots to get to their crummy goaltenders.</p>
<p><b>5.5% Shooting Percentages at Evens and Bad Power Plays Don't Yield Big Numbers But Beware These Players: </b>The production totals on the Canes won't wow you due to a low shooting percentage and a relatively ineffective power play. There are still multiple names you should be aware of because the Devils most definitely will find out about them tonight.</p>
<p>Their top line in New York and <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/canes-now/article47566700.html" target="_blank">reported by Alexander to be kept together</a> is Victor Rask, <span>Elias Lindholm</span>, and Eric Staal. Lindholm's three goals and four assists aren't eye-popping, but they are recent. He has a five-game point streak right now. Playing with Rask and Eric Staal (and Faulk) will only help him get opportunities to get more points. <a href="http://www.canescountry.com/2015/12/2/9834876/mortons-microscope-elias-lindholm" target="_blank">Kyle Morton focused on Lindholm yesterday at Canes Country, go check out that post.</a> Rask is one of the few Canes who doesn't have a cold stick; he's got eight goals (three in his last five) and seven assists to be just behind Faulk in scoring. Eric Staal has been a perennial scoring threat and do-everything forward for Carolina. His peak may have come a few years back, but he's still driving play and making things happen up front. With the Devils on the road, Hynes may have to hope Moore and <span>Damon Severson</span> can handle them when he can't get <span>Andy Greene</span> and <span>Adam Larsson</span> out against them.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/canes-now/article47566700.html" target="_blank">Alexander reported a change in Wednesday's practice from what was seen in New York.</a> In their last game, Riley Nash centered Kris Versteeg and Jeff Skinner. Per Alexander, Jordan Staal was centering Joakim Nordstrom and Versteeg and Nash and Skinner skating with Chris Terry. Versteeg has been productive with two goals and twelve assists. Skinner keeps firing - while he only has five goals, he leads Carolina forwards with seventy shots. On paper, both are notable threats from the wing. Yet, on the ice, it feels like they can do more. <a href="http://war-on-ice.com/playertable.html?mansit=3&scoresit=2&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=1&playoffs=All&names=&team=CAR&pos=5&start1=2015-10-01&xaxis=61&yaxis=96&caxis=9&saxis=103&mintoi=0&tab=1&usedaterange=0&start0=20152016&end0=20152016&end1=2015-12-02&splitseasons=1" target="_blank">Per War on Ice, Nash leads the Carolina forwards in CF%</a>, which is impressive given how high everyone else is on their own. Yes, he's been given easier situations but he's been making them count. Jordan Staal has been a two-way threat, though five goals and four assists don't appear to threaten much one-way. It's a group that could use more skill, but they've been so solid in possession that they will pose a challenge for whoever they match-up with. Greene-Larsson may not have to deal with that relatively dangerous Rask line but they could have their hands full with these other two.</p>
<p><b>If Not Now Then...Tomorrow: </b>Wednesday for the Devils was all about fathers as most of the team's fathers are traveling with the players to Carolina. Not a lot of players practiced so there's no information regarding whether <span>David Schlemko</span> would get in the lineup and for who or if there's any other changes in the lineup. There's also no word yet on who will start this game. <a target="_blank" href="http://fireandice.northjersey.com/fire-ice-1.174987/devils-dads-looking-forward-to-seeing-how-the-other-half-lives-hockey-moms-not-forgotten-1.1466054">Tom Gulitti confirmed near the end of this post at Fire & Ice</a> that <span>Keith Kinkaid</span> will start one of the next two games. If I were in John Hynes' shoes, I'd start Kinkaid tonight. While Carolina can definitely bring the game to New Jersey at evens, their low shooting percentage combined with their poor special teams makes this a more favorable matchup for Kinkaid than a surging (re-surging?) Philadelphia team.</p>
<p><b>More of This: </b><span>Mike Cammalleri</span> didn't score but he did put up seven shots last night against Colorado. While seven is quite a lot to ask for, I would like Cammalleri and his fellow linemates to put up several shots tonight. Likewise, I want several from Palmieri and Zajac as well. As for the likes of <span>Patrik Elias</span>, please try to play better in general rather than for a bit? In general, I want to see the Devils just shoot first, shoot often, and crash that net for that second chance.</p>
<p><b>Your Take: </b>The Devils will hit the road for the first half of this back-to-back. What do you think will happen tonight? Will the Devils exploit what's been ailing Carolina all season? Or will they suffer from what Carolina does well (possession in 5-on-5 play)? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about this game in the comments. Thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2015/12/3/9838012/game-preview-25-new-jersey-devils-at-carolina-hurricanesJohn Fischer