Each team has taken a game a piece in the season series. –Getty Images
Match Overview
Tonight’s game will feature your New Jersey Devils, who currently own a 27-18-8 record which positions them third in the Metropolitan Division, and the Columbus Blue Jackets, who own a 27-23-4 record which puts them 7th in the Metropolitan Division.
The New Jersey Devils are coming off a one-goal loss against Calgary on Thursday night. That contest marked the third straight game where the Devils outshot their opponent. The Devils were also able to muster up a power play goal, something they have done in three of their past four games. Contrary to what the results have been the past two games, the Devils have been playing good hockey as of late. If there is even a slight improvement in goaltending, the wins will start steadily coming in.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are finally experiencing the downfall that was expected. Losers in eight of their last ten games (2-7-1), the only thing that has kept them afloat – defense and goaltending – has faltered. Only averaging 2.5 goals per game (29th in the NHL) and owning a 13.8% efficient power play (31st in the NHL) is not enough to generate the offense you need when you’re struggling in your own zone. Since the Blue Jackets are coming off a game last night, which saw Sergei Bobrovsky in net, it is uncertain who will start tonight for Columbus.
Tonight’s game will be at Nationwide Arena and is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM.
Projected Devils Lines
Hall-Hischier-Bratt
Wood-Zacha-Palmieri
Quenneville-Zajac-Noesen
Coleman-Boyle-Stafford
Greene-Vatanen
Moore-Severson
Butcher-Lovejoy
Kinkaid
Projected Blue Jackets Lines
Panarin-Wennberg-Atkinson
Bjorkstrand-Bubois-Foligno
Calvert-Dubinsky-Anderson
Jenner-Sedlak-Jokinen
Werenski-Jones
Johnson-Nutivaara
Kukan-Savard
Bobrovsky*
Pavel Zacha scored a beautiful in between the legs goal on Thursday night. –Getty Images
What/Who to Watch
- Forward Taylor Hall is continuing to keep his name in the conversation for the Hart Trophy. Amidst a 12-game point streak Hall is showing no signs of slowing down. Hall has surmounted himself as the Devils’ best player, and when he’s on his game anything is possible.
- Pavel Zacha was finally rewarded for his great play, as he scored a highlight reel power play goal against Calgary which marked his fifth point in four games (1G, 4A). Finally looking like the 6th overall pick he was in 2015, Zacha has brought a much-needed scoring touch to the Devils’ second line as of late.
- As mentioned above, the Blue Jackets rank at the bottom of the league in generating offense. However, they are second in the league in total shots while at 5-on-5. With the struggles the Jackets have experienced on their power play this may not come too much of a surprise, but the Devils defense must be sharp at all times. With the likes of Artemi Panarin buzzing around the ice, the Jackets are still a pretty dangerous team.
- The Blue Jackets special team units have been shaky all season. This trend has been very apparent in their losing skid. They have given up a power play goal in each their last seven games. The Devils certainly should want to take advantage of the Blue Jackets struggling special team units, as they outrank both units.
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSG+ at 7:00 PM.