Perfect Road Record Meets a Devils Team Owning the Puck
Edmonton arrives in Newark unbeaten away from home, while New Jersey has been the better chance-maker of the two clubs lately.
Written before the game
Edmonton comes into Newark at 11-2-2, first in the Western Conference with 24 points through 15 games, a goal difference of plus 20, a three-game winning streak and a perfect 7-0-0 road record. The records look lopsided, but the recent underlying picture leans the other way.
Over their last 10 games, the Oilers have actually given up slightly better chances than they've created. Their expected goals (how many goals their chances were worth) averaged 2.98 for and 3.13 against. They've also faced more shot attempts than they've taken, averaging 53.8 for and 58 against.
New Jersey (9-5-0, second in the Metropolitan, 6-2-0 at home) has been the busier team at both ends. The Devils averaged 65.5 shot attempts for and only 50.5 against, and in expected goals they've averaged 3.97 for and 2.61 against. In plain terms, they've been generating far more than they allow.
For Edmonton to win, it has to keep doing what its record shows and win on the scoreboard even when the shot count goes against it. For the Devils, the path is simpler: keep the shot gap they've built over their last 10 games, and make the extra looks count.