After completing a set of back-to-back games at home against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday and in Ottawa against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, the currently streaking New Jersey Devils (19-14-5) will open a two-game homestand tonight against the league-leading Dallas Stars (28-8-3).

The Devils were unable to earn a victory against Dallas last season, falling 3-2 in the shootout at Prudential Center on October 24th and 4-3 in regulation on December 13th at American Airlines Center. The Stars were 2-0-0 last season vs. New Jersey, while the Devils were 0-1-1 vs. Dallas.

Tonight’s matchup is the first of the season between these two teams, with the next taking place on March 4th at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Dallas is coming off a 5-1 New Years Eve victory over the Nashville Predators. Stars captain Jamie Benn, who leads the league in plus/minus (+23) and in goals (24), recorded a two-point night on Thursday with 1 goal and 1 assist. Mattias Janmark, Patrick Eaves, and Tyler Seguin (2 goals) also netted goals for the Stars on Thursday. Antti Niemi made 34 saves and recorded a .971 save percentage in the victory.

In their last seven games played, Dallas is 5-1-1. They have played four games in six days and are on the first stop of a three-game road trip in the New York metropolitan area. The Stars will play the New Jersey Devils tonight, the New York Islanders tomorrow at Barclays Center, and the New York Rangers on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. All three teams currently hold playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

Projected Line Combinations:

New Jersey Devils (as of Friday’s practice, subject to change):

Forwards:

Tyler Kennedy-Travis Zajac-Kyle Palmieri

Jiri Tlusty-Adam Henrique-Lee Stempniak

Stefan Matteau-Sergey Kalinin-Mike Sislo

Bobby Farnham-Stephen Gionta-Jordin Tootoo

Extra forward: Tuomo Ruutu

Defensemen:

Andy Greene-Adam Larsson

John Moore-Damon Severson

Jon Merrill-David Schlemko

Extra defenseman: Eric Gelinas

Goaltenders: Cory Schneider/Keith Kinkaid

Injury List: F Patrik Elias (knee), F Ryane Clowe (concussion), F Jacob Josefson (lower body) are on injured reserve.

New Jersey Practice Notes (per NorthJersey.com): Mike Cammalleri missed Friday’s practice at Prudential Center due to a “maintenance day”. Tyler Kennedy filled in for Cammalleri’s spot on the top line at practice alongside Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri. Devils head coach John Hynes expects Cammalleri to play tonight. Hynes also mentioned that Jordin Tootoo would be ok to play after taking a puck to the jaw during Friday’s practice. Tuomo Ruutu is healthy and will be available for tonight as well.

Dallas Stars (per dailyfaceoff.com, subject to change – updated 12/31/2015):

Forwards:

Jamie Benn-Tyler Seguin-Patrick Sharp

Mattias Janmark-Jason Spezza-Valeri Nichushkin

Antoine Roussel-Cody Eakin-Colton Sceviour

Travis Moen-Vernon Fiddler-Patrick Eaves

Defensemen:

Alex Goligoski-John Klingberg

Johnny Oduya-Jason Demers

Jyrki Jokipakka-Jordie Benn

Goaltenders:

Antti Niemi/Kari Lehtonen

Injury List: F Ales Hemsky (lower body, week-to-week, injured reserve), F Valeri Nichushkin (lower body, questionable, skated on Friday).

Projected Goaltending Matchup:

New Jersey Devils:

Cory Schneider (Record: 16-10-5 in 31GP, 2.10 GAA, .927 SV%, 3 shutouts) – As one of the top American goaltenders in the entire National Hockey League, Schneider has continued to impress. In his last five games, Schneider is 2-2-1. He has not let in more than three goals since December 17^th vs. Florida. On December 30^th, Schneider posted the 20^th shutout of his career against the Ottawa Senators. He stopped 36 of 36 shots on goal in 59:27 of ice time. He is currently tied for 2^nd in games played among goaltenders this season, 3^rd among goaltenders in minutes played (1855), 6^th in shutouts (3), 10^th in goals against average (2.10), and 4^th in saves made (823).

Dallas Stars:

Antti Niemi (Record: 16-6-3 in 26GP, 2.25 GAA, .917 SV%, 3 shutouts)– The 32-year old Finnish netminder is 3-1-1 in his last five games. He most recently played in a 5-1 Stars victory against the Nashville Predators on New Years Eve posting 33 saves, 1 goal against, and a .971 save percentage in 60 minutes of ice time.

Kari Lehtonen (Record: 12-2-0 in 18GP, 2.63 GAA. .911 SV%, 1 shutout) – In his seventh season with the Dallas Stars, Lehtonen has posted a mere two losses in 18 games played. He most recently played on December 29^th in Columbus and stopped 11 of 14 shots, posting a .786 save percentage. He is 3-2 in his last five games played.

Players to Watch:

New Jersey Devils:

Mike Cammalleri (14G-21A, 35 points)– The 33-year old Toronto-born sniper for the New Jersey Devils netted two goals in New Jersey’s victory over Ottawa on December 30^th. He currently leads the Devils in points with 35. He has scored 11 even strength goals and 3 power-play goals this season.

Dallas Stars:

Jamie Benn (24G-28A, 52 points) – The Dallas Stars captain currently leads the National Hockey League in goals per game (0.62) and in goals scored (24). He is second in points per game (1.33) and in goals created per game (0.53). He has tallied at least one point per game in his last five games played. Benn is also on a seven-game points streak with 4 goals and 7 assists.

Credits to stars.nhl.com, NorthJersey.com, hockey-reference.com, and dailyfaceoff.com for all statistics and pre-game information.

Credits to Getty Images and Paula Faerman Photography for all images used.

Tonight’s game will be televised on MSG+ with pre-game coverage beginning at 6:30 PM and puck drop at 7:00. It will also be broadcasted on WFAN Sports Radio (101.9 FM) with Matt Loughlin and Sherry Ross beginning at 6:30 PM.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for all updates before, during, and after the game.

Nick Papadimas is a New Jersey native, New Jersey Devils season ticket holder, and avid hockey fan. He is an aspiring sports journalist and high school student who has also covered high school sports and local events for TAPinto.net since 2012. He has been credentialed on behalf of the NJSIAA and TAPinto.net to cover high school sports since 2013. Nick may be reached on Twitter (@ngpaps) or by e-mail at papadimasn@icloud.com.