Let the Playoffs Begin!

By Jake Ricker

Overview

Tonight it’s the Tampa Bay Lightning (54-23-5) taking on the New Jersey Devils (44-29-9). Tonight will mark the start of the NHL Playoffs for both teams as they get set to go for game 1 of a best of 7 series. The two teams faced off 3 times in the regular season with the first meeting ending in a 5-4 Devils shootout victory, the second ending in a 4-3 Devils victory, and the last one ending in a 2-1 Devils victory. Despite being swept in the regular season the Bolts will look to turn things around, while the Devils will look to continue that trend. Let’s take a look at the game plan for these two teams as they get set to square off.

 

Tampa’s Statistical Outlook

The Lightning finished the regular season as the number 1 team in goals per game (3.54). They will look to continue that success heading into the playoffs as they take on the Devils who are 17th in goal against per game (2.93). The Bolts had the 3rd best power play percentage (23.9%) in the NHL this year. They will look to continue that success despite facing the Devils who have the 8th best PK in the NHL (81.8%). This will be the first of 2 home games for the Bolts before heading out to New Jersey for 2 games to start the series. They will look to take a 1-0 series lead against the Devils with a win tonight.

Three Keys To The Game

1. Set the Tone

Game 1. In our building. Come out strong and fast and make the Devils play our game.

2. Smart & Simple

Don’t gift Jersey with turnovers or wasted zone time. Keep it simple and play a smart 200 ft game.

3. Feel the Hype

Amalie is going to be rocking. Playoff hockey is here. Let it flow through the team. War Ready!

Offense

Miller – Stamkos – Kucherov

Palat – Point – Johnson

Gourde – Cirelli – Killorn

Kunitz – Paquette – Callahan

Defense

Hedman – Girardi

McDonagh – Stralman

Coburn – Sergachev

Goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy: 44-17-3 GAA: 2.62  SV%: .920 (Regular Season Stats) (Confirmed)

Injuries

Adam Erne (Out Indefinitely)

 

Devil’s Statistical Outlook

The Devils finished the regular season as the number 15th best team in goals per game (2.96). They will look to continue that success heading into the playoffs as they take on the Bolts who are 19th in goal against per game (2.85). The Devils had the 10th best power play percentage (21.4%) in the NHL this year. They will look to continue that success as they take on the Bolts who have the 28th worst PK in the NHL (76.1%). This will be the first of 2 road games for the Devils before heading back home for 2 games to start the series. They will look to take a 1-0 series lead against the Bolts with a win tonight.

Three Keys To The Game

1. Score First

It’s Playoff time and Amalie Arena will be hoping, take them out of it by scoring first.

2. Top Line Shutdown

The Bolts have a very dangerous first line, don’t let them get quality chances.

3.  Hall

Taylor Hall is the heart of this Devils team. Get behind him and make sure he’s got the puck when he is on the ice.

Projected Lines

Offense 

Hall – Hischier – Palmieri

Wood – Zacha – Maroon

Coleman – Zajac – Stafford

Grabner – Boyle – Gibbons

Defense

Greene – Vatanen

Moore – Mueller

Butcher – Lovejoy

Goalies

Keith Kinkaid:  26-10-3  GAA: 2.77  SV%: .913 (Confirmed)

Injuries

Marcus Johansson (Out Indefinitely)