The New Jersey Devils will take on the Colorado Avalanche tonight, continuing their five-game Western road swing after their impressive 5-0 victory over the Nashville Predators. Scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET, the matchup promises to be thrilling as both teams vie for playoff positions.
The Devils (32-21-6) aim to build on their recent success, but they'll need to navigate some challenges, especially without star goalie Jacob Markstrom, who remains sidelined due to injury. Instead, New Jersey will rely on Jake Allen, who possesses decent but inconsistent stats, holding a 2.58 goals-against average (GAA) and sitting with a .909 save percentage (SV%). Historically against Colorado, Allen has fared well with 10 wins, three losses, three ties, and impressive figures of 2.49 GAA and .918 SV% against the Avalanche.
Colorado (33-24-2), meanwhile, seeks to break its two-game losing streak after suffering defeat against the St. Louis Blues. The Avalanche are set to field newly traded goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who has shown promise since joining Colorado, totaling 14 wins and two losses, with stunning stats of 2.17 GAA and .921 SV%. Blackwood is particularly remarkable against the Devils, posting a perfect record with zero goals allowed.
Both teams boast exciting offensive talent, with the Devils led by Jesper Bratt, who has accumulated 68 points this season, alongside Jack Hughes, matching him with another 68 points, and Nico Hischier with 46. The Avalanche are spearheaded by Nathan MacKinnon, holding 87 points, and Cale Makar, contributing 64 points.
According to the latest betting odds, the Devils are underdogs at +120, with the Avalanche favored at -142. The over/under line is set at 5.5 goals, indicating expectations for a competitive matchup.
New Jersey's road performance has been commendable, holding onto the third spot in the Metropolitan Division—though they have struggled to turn recent victories consistently. Their 8-10-3 record since December 28 highlights the difficulty they have had replicable win streaks, currently ranked 24th for even-strength expected goals percentage since January 1. Despite their offensive struggles, their power play and penalty kill have nailed down positive numbers, ranking third in both categories.
The Avalanche, on the other hand, have demonstrated strong control over play, sitting fourth in shot attempts percentage at even strength. Yet they face challenges as their power play has underperformed, bringing them to fifth-worst conversion rates since January 1. If they hope to exploit the Devils’ weaknesses, getting their scoring rates back on track will be key.
For fans wanting to watch tonight’s game, it will be broadcasted on various outlets, including MSGSN, KTVD, ALT, and TVAS. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with fans eagerly anticipating how both teams will capitalize on their respective advantages and jumpstart their playoff aspirations.
The battle promises intensity as the Devils and Avalanche slug it out; the stakes are high. Both teams need this win to solidify their playoff standings, and fans can expect some tremendous moments on the ice!