Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
The New Jersey Devils were out-scored 11-2 over the last four periods of hockey and, well, they looked as poorly as the results indicate.
Given that, it’s hardly a surprise John Hynes and co. have completely shaken up the lineup card.
Every forward line and defense pairing has been altered – in many cases drastically. I feel the need to comment on each so let’s roll through it.
L1: Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, Nikita Gusev
On one hand, the Devils are putting arguably their three best playmakers on the same line. That seems a little redundant. On the other, Hall and Hischier have long enjoyed success together and I can’t help but think a player of Gusev’s skill level will be able to take advantage of this kind of opportunity. Hall is a capable defensive winger and Nico is quite responsible so putting Gusev in this spot should help protect him a bit in his own end.
L2: Jesper Bratt, Travis Zajac, Kyle Palmieri
I have time for this. Bratt is a very gifted offensive player but his play without the puck can be lacking at times. With Zajac and Palmieri by his side, those concerns should be mitigated. The latter’s presence gives this line some bite and his shooting ability will still be put to use playing alongside two pass-first players.
L3: Blake Coleman, Jack Hughes, Wayne Simmonds
If you’re not going to put Hughes with Palmieri, Coleman is the next best thing. He is relentless and his play without the puck should really help stabilize the line defensively. Simmonds isn’t much of a facilitator but he’ll bury a decent portion of the chances he gets around the net. Hughes should be able to create some of those for Simmonds. In exchange, Hughes can get some protection. He was pushed around a fair bit in Buffalo and I’m guessing that factored into Hynes’ decision putting arguably the two grittiest players on the roster with him.
L4: Miles Wood, Kevin Rooney, John Hayden
As soon as Hynes said the Devils played soft and were pushed around, I knew Hayden would be coming back into the lineup. If there is one thing you could say about Hayden, it’s that he doesn’t play ‘soft’ hockey. I hate that his return came at Jesper Boqvist’s expense but I’m not surprised. Kevin Rooney is just a lesser Pavel Zacha. In a 4C role, I’m not sure it changes much. This line will be relied upon to crash and bang, and not much else.
P1: Sami Vatanen, P.K. Subban
I’d prefer Will Butcher on this pairing but I’m fine with Vatanen taking that spot. At least for now. He’s competent defensively and a better puck mover than Andy Greene. It’s a step in the right direction.
P2: Andy Greene, Damon Severson
Severson did not play well over the first two games. He did, however, play better than the results suggested. His numbers were also much better away from Mirco Mueller. Andy Greene is many things. Mirco Mueller is not one of them. Again, not my optimal pairing but I think it's better than what the Devils were going with.
P3: Will Butcher, Connor Carrick
Again, I’d like Butcher playing higher up. I do kinda like this pairing, though. Butcher can drive play and do his thing in the offensive zone. Carrick can skate the puck up when necessary and provide a little more bite in the defensive zone and around the net. Carrick deserves a chance to play with the way Mueller started the season.
••
Do I love all the moves? No. But besides taking Jesper Boqvist out and going with an all-grit 4th line, I think most were pretty reasonable. Something needed to change – clearly – and, well, Hynes made changes.
Win or lose, I’d expect a competitive effort in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Recent Posts
Problems aplenty for Devils after two games
Predicting the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Final
Hall, Devils making traction towards contract extension
Predicting the Metro Division standings in 2019-20
Bold Metro Division predictions for 2019-20
Metro Division breakout picks for 2019-20
Devils 2019 fantasy projections
Who will win the Hart Trophy in 2019-20?
Who will win the Calder Trophy in 2019-20?
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»