Tip: The New Jersey Devils are visiting the UBS Arena

After two consecutive losses, the New Jersey Devils are set to take on the New York Islanders in Long Island. Following a highly promising season last year, many pundits see the Devils as strong contenders in the race for the Stanley Cup.

Islanders' Gritty Gains: Hard Work Defines Early Season Success

In contrast to flashy play, the Islanders are known for their gritty, blue-collar approach. While they boast a roster of skilled players, their game is characterized by hard work and determination. New York has started the season impressively with two home wins and will be eager to secure a third tonight. While Brock Nelson has excelled as a goal scorer, there has been a lack of production from other players. Mathew Barzal, though a highly skilled player, has not lived up to his rookie-year performance. Additionally, Bo Horvat, last season's trade acquisition, has yet to make a significant impact. Long Island is historically a challenging place for scoring, except for Nelson.

The Islanders may not boast impressive statistics, but they've been effective at driving play, ranking ninth with a 55.84 xGF%. Defensively, they appear to be returning to their old form, having only conceded two goals and boasting a 1.98 xGA/60, placing them second in the league. Historically, the Islanders have struggled with their power play. Although they managed to score a goal on Tuesday, there remains skepticism about their effectiveness in this regard. However, their penalty kill has been exceptional, maintaining a perfect record this year.

Ilya Sorokin has been a standout for the Islanders, making franchise history with an impressive number of shutouts in less than 200 games played. He's already boasting an exceptional season with a remarkable .952 SV% and a +1.3 GSAx.

Can the Devils Outsmart Sorokin?

While I have high hopes for the Devils this year, they'll need time to find their rhythm. They've struggled to create opportunities, putting Vanecek in a challenging position. Hughes and Bratt will certainly have their chances, but can they overcome Sorokin?

The star players for the Devils have lived up to expectations. Jack Hughes, who established himself as a star last season, has continued his impressive form with six points in three games. Jesper Bratt leads the team in goals, and Dougie Hamilton has maintained his consistent production. However, the offense has yet to hit its usual stride, currently ranking 25th in expected goals with a 43.53 xGF%. Defensively, the Devils have shown some weaknesses, conceding at a rate of 3.34 xGA/60.

The power play has been a strong suit, with Hughes, Bratt, and Hamilton leading the charge, converting 31% of the time. On the flip side, the penalty kill needs improvement, allowing five goals in 15 opportunities. Discipline in avoiding penalties will be crucial. Vitek Vanecek is expected to start, having assumed the role of the team's top goaltender last year for the first time in his career. He has performed solidly so far with an .892 SV% and a +0.8 goals saved above expected (GSAx).

Conclusion and prediction

I have a lot of respect for the Islanders when they play at home in the UBS Arena; we pretty much always know what to expect. The Devils haven't quite hit their full potential at the start of the season, but on paper, they are a stronger team than the Islanders and should, in my book, be the favorites despite a shaky start to the season. The Devils are a team built to challenge for the division title, something the Islanders simply aren't. So, when we can currently bet on the NJ Devils to win in regular time at bet365 with odds of +145 , I'm quick to place that bet!