The New Jersey Devils (6-1-0) are gearing up to face off against the struggling San Jose Sharks (1-4-2) in an exciting matchup tonight at 7 PM ET. Fans can catch the action live on MSGSN and Devils Hockey Radio.
In their last outing, the Devils extended their winning streak to six games, triumphing over the Minnesota Wild with a score of 4-1. Rising star Arseny Gritsyuk celebrated his first career NHL goal, while Nico Daws made his season debut in net.
Conversely, the Sharks secured a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory against the New York Rangers last night, marking their first win of the season. Macklin Celebrini stole the spotlight by netting a hat trick and contributing five points, showcasing his potential as a future superstar.
Jesper Bratt has been a cornerstone of New Jersey’s offensive surge, registering points in all seven games thus far, totaling 11 points (four goals, seven assists). Remarkably, Bratt is chasing his own record for the longest point streak to start a season—11 games set in 2022-23. As he continues to deliver consistent performances, there’s hope that he could break his record.
Cody Glass’s status remains uncertain after he missed the last game due to an upper-body injury sustained earlier in the week. Head coach Sheldon Keefe has not provided updates following Wednesday’s match, but if Glass is unable to return, Dawson Mercer is prepared to step into the third-line center role after a commendable performance against Minnesota.
Nico Hischier’s candidacy for the Selke Trophy is gathering steam as he takes on tough matchups against elite competition. Although his recent performance against the Minnesota Wild was a challenge, Hischier previously dominated against the Maple Leafs. With the absence of Aleksander Barkov from the Panthers, Hischier is positioning himself as a contender for this accolade.
Tonight’s game will also showcase the Sharks’ impressive young talent, led by the dynamic Celebrini and his linemates Will Smith and Michael Misa. While the San Jose squad has underperformed collectively, their youth signifies a bright future as they learn to compete at this level. The challenge for the Devils will be to contain this emerging talent, especially with the added pressure of San Jose’s recent win.
The scenario sets the stage for what is being termed a potential “trap game” for the Devils. Despite their solid performance and rest advantage, there’s concern that they might take their opponent lightly, especially considering their prior struggles against the Sharks last season. New Jersey’s ability to stay focused and treat every game seriously will be critical as they look to extend their winning streak.
As the season progresses, this matchup against a young and hungry Sharks team could prove to be a pivotal moment in cementing the Devils’ status in the league as both teams eye future success. Fans are eager to see if the Devils will maintain their momentum or if San Jose’s recent rise will pose a challenge tonight.