James Nichols just reported that Jake Allen is expected to start for the Devils in Winnipeg tonight, with Connor Hellebuyck sitting.
New Jersey's decision to sit Hellebuyck on his return to the city where the Jets drafted him has been a talking point since Monday. That's when Sheldon Keefe's shifting explanations on Hellebuyck kept the debate going.
Nichols noted that the player Dawson Mercer was traded for won't play, and that the Devils arrive on a five-game win streak.
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Winnipeg's starter is not confirmed. Nicolas Daws took the starter's net in Monday's practice, but Mitchell Clinton said the morning skate is the better indicator, so the Jets' crease stays open until then.
Chris Johnston reported that Hellebuyck isn't starting in his Winnipeg return, but he will hear the boos.
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Is Jake Allen a risky choice against the Jets?
On paper, yes. Allen is 9-11-3 in 24 games against Winnipeg, with a .884 save percentage and a 3.18 goals-against average.
Darren Dreger noted that his 11 regulation losses against the Jets are the most he has against any team in the league.
Now look at the Devils. They're 13-5-0, fifth in the NHL, and 9-1-0 over their last 10. Giving the net to a goalie with that record against this opponent, in a building that will be loud for the wrong reasons, is a gamble a team this hot didn't have to take.
The Jets have their own storyline. Mercer, a 25-year-old winger New Jersey drafted 18th overall in 2020, faces his old team for the first time and has 1 goal and 7 assists in 18 games this season.
Winnipeg is 7-8-3 and 23rd in the NHL, but it has won three straight. A fourth would give the Jets a real jolt against one of the East's best.
The Jets' goalie should become clear after the morning skate, and the Devils will be looking to stretch their streak to six.
Quick hits
FLORIDA PANTHERS: Tom Wilson will not be suspended for his boarding hit on Sandis Vilmanis, and the Panthers beat has a clear opinion on it. Expect plenty of fans around the league to have one too.
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BENCH CLASH: A day after the Flyers won in Vancouver, the bench clash between Matvei Michkov and Nick Seeler is still dividing Philadelphia this morning. Beat writers can't agree on it.
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Also read on Markerzone.com:
Connor Hellebuyck's return to Winnipeg comes with a big catch
