Famous Last Words: Blackhawks vs. Devils Preview
In an unfortunately rare instance this season, the Blackhawks are coming off a victory when they hit home ice at the United Center this evening to host the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils have lost three in a row, although they did pick up a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Monday. Although their current mini-skid has resulted in a 4-5-1 record in their last 10 games, the Devils are pretty secure in their playoff spot as the third-place team in the Metropolitan Division, sitting seven points up on the New York Islanders and New York Rangers. Even though both teams have games in hand (two and one, respectively), it’d take the Devils absolutely tanking to drop outside the playoff picture with just 10-12 games remaining in the season.
The reason the Devils have been good but not necessarily a contender this season is mostly due to their subpar 5-on-5 shooting (8.70, 20th in the league). They’re just outside the top-10 in terms of shot attempts (59.02, 12th) and expected goals (2.58, 11th) per 60, but New Jersey just doesn’t finish quite as strongly as the shot habit should dictate. As a result, the Devils have just a 2.3 goals per 60 rate at 5-on-5, tied for 22nd in the league. Luckily, while their 5-on-5 offense has been underwhelming this season, they make up for it with a top-five power play (27.4 percent, 4th). The biggest complaint about the Devils play during their current three-game losing streak is how they’ve failed to play a full game. Sounds familiar, honestly.
Timo Meier after tonights #NJDevils loss: “If you want to win a game you’ve got to be consistent for 60 minutes and if you’re only until 59:30 at this time, you’re going to pay for it."— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) March 25, 2025
The lack of offense means New Jersey is somewhat shallow, which isn’t helped by the fact that the team lost No. 1 center Jack Hughes (70 points in 62 games) to a season-ending injury in the first weekend of March. Hughes was one of two forwards over a point per game on the roster (Hughes at 1.13, Jesper Bratt the other at 1.14) — but they only have three others with at a rate of half a point per game or better: Nico Hischier (0.86), Timo Meier (0.66), and Stefan Noesen (0.51). Cody Glass, who the Devils picked up at the NHL Trade Deadline, has been strong with a 0.75 point-rate but he has only played in eight games with his new team and he’s not traveling to Chicago. After those guys, it’s a so-so bottom six that relies more on defense. Dawson Mercer (0.40) hasn’t exactly broken out this season and hasn’t come close to reaching the 56 points (27 G, 29 A) in 82 games he had two seasons ago, but he could always have a good game and pop-off. Dougie Hamilton (0.63) leads the blue line with Luke Hughes (0.56) being the other solid contributor.
The Devils had an optional morning skate Wednesday, so exact lines and pairings they’ll run against Chicago are unknown, but here is what they rolled in their last game:
Tonight’s Crew. pic.twitter.com/VmCNTnYKq1— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) March 24, 2025
As mentioned above, Glass is injured, so there will likely be some shifting, such as Mercer moving up and Daniel Sprong may draw back in on the fourth line. For defense, 2022 No. 2 overall pick Simon Nemec will be back on defense after being a scratch last game. Jacob Markstrom is the likely starter in net.
Simon Nemec is going back into the #NJDevils lineup tonight, HC Keefe confirms.Cholowski coming out.— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) March 26, 2025
Jacob Markstrom is in the #NJDevils starters net.Expect him to get the call tonight against the Blackhawks.— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) March 26, 2025
As for the Blackhawks, they broke their six-game losing streak Sunday with a messy but entertaining 7-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Blackhawks had gone seven games in a row without scoring more than two goals, so it was just fun to see them break out for a change. It’s not likely to happen often, so we have to enjoy it when it comes around. Tyler Bertuzzi led the team with a goal and two assists, Ryan Donato scored two power-play goals, Connor Bedard got his 20th goal of the season and added an assist, and Joe Veleno scored his first goal with the Blackhawks and had an assist.
While it wasn’t the prettiest game for Spencer’ Knight’s numbers — he finished with a .862 save percentage — he got the win, and it kind of makes up for the his previous start against the Los Angeles Kings where he managed an amazing .938 save percentage but picked up a loss.
Sorensen on Spencer Knight: "He’s so composed in net but also off the ice. He just takes everything in stride, seems to have a really good demeanor. I think him and Jimmy [Waite] are forming a good relationship already. He’s very regimented in terms of what he wants."— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 26, 2025
The big news out of practice on Wednesday was that Jason Dickinson (wrist) is done for the season. Colton Dach (elbow) and Alec Martinez (upper body) are both listed as day-to-day.
The injury updates doesn’t really impact the lines or pairings: the Blackhawks rolled the same lines and pairings at Wednesday’s morning skate as they did in the game against the Flyers. This includes Knight as the starting goaltender.
#Blackhawks lineup at practice:Donato-Nazar-BedardTeravainen-Foligno-MikheyevKurashev-Veleno-BertuzziSlaggert-Reichel-MaroonVlasic-CrevierDel Mastro-MurphyKaiser-LevshunovKnightSöderblomExtra: BrodieInjured: Dach, Dickinson, Martinez— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 25, 2025
The Blackhawks and Devils have only faced off one other this season, back in mid-December when the Devils won 4-1. The play on the ice was close between the two teams in the first 40 minutes and the Blackhawks got on the board in the second, but then New Jersey broke out for four goals in the third period. The game was also the only start for Drew Commesso this season, which possibly played a role in the loss. Jason Dickinson scored the lone Blackhawks goal in that game.
Tale of the Tape
Blackhawks — Statistic — Devils43.97% (32nd) — 5-on-5 Corsi For — 50.72% (10th)43.20% (32nd) — 5-on-5 Expected goals for — 51.23% (11th)2.70 (25th) — Goals per game — 2.96 (17th)3.55 (30th) — Goals against per game — 2.61 (5th)45.1% (31st) — Faceoffs — 49.6% (19th)25.5% (8th) — Power play — 27.4% (4th)81.7% (9th) — Penalty kill — 82.6% (4th)(All stats from this season)
How to watch
When: 6:30 p.m. CTWhere: United Center, ChicagoTV: CHSN+, TNT, truTVWebstream: MAXRadio: WGN 720
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