As the regular season enters its final stretch, the New Jersey Devils (41-32-7, third Metropolitan) will face the Boston Bruins (33-39-9, eighth Atlantic) in a tune-up for the playoffs.
Overview
Tuesday night’s game is the first of a back-to-back to end the year, but New Jersey will likely be cautious with ice time and who plays given their playoff spot has been locked up for over a week now.
The Bruins also have little to play for, with their postseason hopes crumbling weeks ago. They’re 3-7-0 in their last 10 games and dead last in their division. This is the final game of their season, and they’ll hope to win to avoid finishing in the basement of the Atlantic Division.
Lines and Pairings
Devils –
Forwards
Palat-Hischier-Bratt
Haula-Mercer-Meier
Cotter-Glass-Sprong
Tatar-Dowling-Bastian
Defense
Hughes-Pesce
Dumoulin-Kovacevic
Dillion-Nemec
Goalies
Markstrom
Allen
Bruins –
Forwards
Geekie-Lindholm-Pastrnak
Lauko-Zacha-Lysell
Koepke-Mittelstadt-Lettieri
Khusnutdinov-Minten-Farinacci
Defense
Lohrei-Peeke
Zadorov-Jokiharju
Brunet-Wotherspoon
Goalies
Swayman
Korpisalo
Keys to the Game
Hamilton Update
One player every fan should have their eye on, though likely won’t even be in the lineup Tuesday, is defenseman Dougie Hamilton. Hamilton appears to be ramping up to return from injury at the start of the playoffs. Hamilton has been out since March 4 but has resumed skating and has taken regular practice reps with the team.
Roster Moves
The Devils announced they recalled forward Marc McLaughlin from Utica (AHL). The 25-year-old was acquired from Boston earlier this season. He has five points in 14 games since coming over, 19 points in 48 games overall on the year.
New Jersey also received news that forward Paul Cotter has been suspended two games for his illegal check of the head against the Islanders. So, he will be good to go for the playoffs.
Where to Watch
Tuesday’s game can be seen on MSGSN at 7:00 pm ET.