Overview
After beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3 last night, the New Jersey Devils (16-11-1) will face the Anaheim Ducks tonight at the Prudential Center in the second leg of their weekend back-to-back. It was a complete effort for New Jersey, leading the entire way while surviving multiple Blue Jacket comeback attempts.
The Devils are red-hot with an 8-2-0 record over their last ten games. Everything is going right in Jersey, and they’ll hope to keep climbing the standings with a win against the lowly Ducks.
The Devils are in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division with 33 points. The Ducks are in last place in the Pacific with just 20 points.
Lines and Pairings
Devils-
Forwards
Toffoli-Hughes-Bratt
Palat-Hischier-Meier
Haula-Mercer-Holtz
Lazar-McLeod-Bastian
Defense
Siegenthaler-Nemec
Bahl-Marino
Hughes-Miller
Goalies
Schmid
Vanecek
Ducks-
Forwards
Killorn-Carlsson-Terry
Vatrano-Carrick-Strome
Jones-Henrique-Leason
McGinn-Groulx-Silfverberg
Defense
Fowler-Macombe
Milyukov-Lyubushkin
Vaakanainen-Gudas
Goalies
Gibson
Dostal
Keys to the Game
Jack Hughes Heating Up
Superstar center Jack Hughes had his second career hat trick last night, finishing it with the game-sealing empty netter. Hughes opened the scoring just 47 seconds into the game, which proved vital in a game where New Jersey never surrendered that lead. He also had a wicked one-time snipe on the power play, something you’d expect from Alexander Ovechkin rather than Hughes.
After a three-game point drought, Hughes has four goals in his last two games. Look for the Devils’ best player to have an impact tonight.
Will Mercer Play?
Late in the third period last night, Dawson Mercer blocked a shot off his knee, sending him to the ice for a moment and eventually down the tunnel. The shot appeared to sting him badly, but it’s unclear whether Mercer will have to miss time. It could simply be a bruise, but it could also be something more sinister. However, after the game it appeared head coach Lindy Ruff hinted it wasn’t serious.
If Mercer misses tonight’s game, it would be the first game he misses in his NHL career. Mercer has been the Devils’ iron man over the past three seasons, playing in 192 consecutive games to start his career. Mercer got off to a slow start this year but got back on track with a four-game point streak from late November to early December. Losing Mercer would be a blow to the Devils’ forward group.
Where to Watch
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSGSN at 7:00 p.m. EST.