Overview

After a ten game losing streak, the New Jersey Devils have finally started showing signs of life. The Devils’ took three out of four games in their mini-series against the Philadelphia Flyers, including three straight wins. Unfortunately for them, it was too little too late. This team has been buried in the standings and out of the playoff picture for quite some time. If for no other reason, it’s making the end of another lost season a little more exciting.

The Devils’ return to Prudential Center for their last two home games of the season, a back-to-back against the Boston Bruins. The Devils have had surprising success against the team from the town that loves Ben Affleck this season, going 3-0-2 so far against a highly superior team. Let’s see if the Devils can continue their unlikely play against Boston for the last time their fans can see them in this shortened season.

Players To Watch

Taylor Hall:

Not many people know this, but before becoming a Buffalo Sabers legend Taylor Hall had a pretty good few seasons with the New Jersey Devils. Okay, all jokes aside, the trade that sent Hall from the Sabres to the Bruins does give Devils fans another chance to watch him face off against his former team. Although he struggled in Buffalo, Hall has found himself fit in well with the Bruins. He has five goals and five assists for ten points in 11 games since the trade.

Yegor Sharangovich:

That Yehor Sharnagovish is so hot right now. He burst on everyone’s radar with his scoring accomplishments earlier this year in the KHL and has continued to produce offensively in the substantially tougher NHL. Hopefully he can continue his scoring streak that has seen him score six point in his last five games, including an almost hat trick against Philadelphia. Remember, Sharangovich’s first career goal was the overtime game winner against Boston earlier this season. A storyline to follow in this season’s last few games is if the rookie can reach 20 goals.

Scott Wedgewood:

Looks like Scott Wedgewood is getting the start for the first half of this back-to-back. Wedgewood has been inconsistent all season, but remember he was signed with the intention of being a third string goal before the unceremonious retirement of Corey Crawford. Wedgewood has struggled mightily some games, but also has two shutouts on the season. Which version of Wedgewood we see tonight could very well be the difference between a victory or defeat.

Keys To The Game

Unlikely Success:

Okay, call me “superstitious” if you want, but the fact they Devils have had unlikely success against the Bruins means something to me. They’ve earned at least a point in every game against them this year. We can talk about statistics all we want, but sometime these things happen and there’s no real explanation. Isn’t it great when it works out in your favor, though?

New Opponent:

Because of the craziness of this year’s schedule, the Devils have already played little “mini-series” against the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers that were both four-games long. After playing four games against a certain opponent, you’re sure to get a familiarity for playing against them. Now the Devils have a new opponent in the Boston Bruins. How will that change their game plan after they’ve all gotten so used to the Philadelphia Flyers? Then again, “familiarity” with the New York Rangers didn’t help them in their four game defeat.

I Came In Like A Wrecking Bahl:

The Bruins are an incredibly physical team, and any team that wants to match up against them needs to have their own bit of physicality. Look, I know Kevin Bahl’s career is only a few games old, but he’s the type of defenseman that you need to match up with a team like the big, bad Bruins. Plus, imagine how hilarious it will be when all six-foot-seven of him stands next to Brad Marchand.

Projected Lineups

New Jersey Devils:

Forwards

Kuokkanen-Hughes-Sharangovich

Zacha-Hischier-Bratt

Greer-Boqvist-Merkeley

Wood-Mcleod-Bastian

Defense

Murray-Severson

Butcher-Carrick

Bahl-Smith

Goalies

Wedgewood(starting), Blackwood

Boston Bruins:

Forwards

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak

Hall-Krejci-Smith

Ritchie-Kuraly-Coyle

Debrusk-Lazar-Kuhlman

Defense

Lauzon-McAvoy

Grezlcyk-Miller

Zboril-Clifton

Goalies

Rask, Halak

Prediction

New Jersey keeps its point streak against Boston going with a 4-2 win. Yegor Sharangovih has a goal in the win. Janne Kuokkanen will also be on the scoresheet.