The ice at the United Center sets the stage for an intriguing showdown between the New Jersey Devils and the Chicago Blackhawks. With the Devils showing a strong away record of 3-1-0 and the Blackhawks struggling at home with a 0-2-0 record, the dynamics have been established for a clash that could either affirm the Devils’ road dominance or mark a turning point for the Blackhawks’ home-ice woes.

Devils’ Marching Forward

The New Jersey Devils, with a robust record of 6-3-1, have carved out a reputation as formidable contenders this season. New Jersey has been particularly impressive on enemy ice, boasting a 3-1-0 away record that demonstrates their ability to bring the heat in hostile environments. Offensively, the team has found a gold mine in Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, who’ve been nothing short of sensational. Hughes, with his 20 points (5 goals and 15 assists), has been the architect of the Devils’ top plays, while Bratt has been the executioner with 7 goals to his name. The pair have driven the Devils to a staggering 3.90 goals per game average, a stat that sends a clear message to their adversaries about the firepower they possess.

However, the Devils’ recent 4-1 loss to the Blues served as a reminder that the team’s armor isn’t impervious. While the offense has been a force, the defensive aspects have shown vulnerabilities, evidenced by a slightly bloated 3.60 goals against average. This is a red flag that they cannot afford to overlook, especially when playing away. Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid have been serviceable in goal, but the team’s defense needs to tighten up to give their goaltenders a fighting chance to fend off the assaults from opposing attackers.

Trends show the Devils have a knack for bouncing back after tough losses, and the power play sits atop the league, converting at an impressive 43.6%. Special teams prowess could be pivotal in the matchup against the Blackhawks, who have struggled on the penalty kill. Furthermore, the Devils have managed to keep penalty minutes relatively low, avoiding unnecessary shorthanded situations that could tilt the ice in favor of their opponents.

Blackhawks’ Quest for Consistency

The Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in the midst of a tumultuous season, a 3-6-0 record reflecting the inconsistencies that have plagued this early season. The team’s scoring depth has been shallow, with rookie Connor Bedard being one of the few bright spots. His 6 points, including 4 goals, are commendable for a newcomer, but the Blackhawks need more contributors to step up if they aim to improve on an average of 2.11 goals per game. The recent defeat to the Coyotes was particularly disheartening, not just in the manner of the loss, but in the way it underscored the Blackhawks’ defensive frailties, which allowed 8 goals past their netminders.

In the crease, Petr Mrazek has shouldered the bulk of goaltending duties with a respectable .917 save percentage, but the team’s overall 3.56 goals against average signals that goaltending can only do so much. Arvid Soderblom, who is Mrazek’s backup, has found himself in tough spots, reflected in his 4.19 goals against average and .868 save percentage. The Blackhawks’ blue line needs to tighten up and offer better protection if they want to reverse their fortunes on home ice, where a win has not been enjoyed yet this season. An interesting trend for the Blackhawks has been an impressive penalty kill, which has been successful 86.7% of the time, ranking 8th in the league. This aspect of Chicago’s game will need to be at its best against the Devils’ lethal power play. 

David´s Pick – New Jersey Devils (-192)

The tale of the tape leans heavily in favor of the New Jersey Devils. Despite the recent defeat to the Blues and the goaltending that could use some shoring up, offensive firepower and the depth of scoring talent should carry them through. The Blackhawks, while playing at home and hungry for a win, are mired in inconsistencies that the Devils are well-equipped to exploit. With the Devils’ top lines looking more like a buzzsaw and the Blackhawks’ defense more akin to swiss cheese, it’s hard to bet against the visitors. The Devils’ goals-for tally and their power play percentage are intimidating figures that the Blackhawks’ penalty kill, even with its success this season, will find challenging to contend with.