This is a must win game for both teams.- Puckjunk.com
Tonight’s starting goaltenders (via Left Wing Lock)- Carolina- Cam Ward, New Jersey- Keith Kinkaid
Tonight’s game is of vital importance as the New Jersey Devils battle the Carolina Hurricanes in a metropolitan division showdown. They own both wild card spots with the Devils ahead by one point so it is a must win game for both sides.
What/Who to Watch
Sebastian Aho… The Devils must contain the 20-year-old if they want any chance at winning tonight’s game. He has been absolutely lethal this year for the Hurricanes with 46 points, 21 being goals. He moves up and down the ice very well and can find his teammates almost whenever he wants. If he gets going on the scoresheet it will be a long night.
Taylor Hall… A 15-game point streak is nothing to sleep on. Taylor Hall has to keep his streak going and keep doing what he has been doing if the Devils want a good chance tonight. When he lights up the scoresheet it seems to motivate the rest of the team to do better as well, hence, if Hall scores once or twice the Devils chances to win will be incredibly high.
Back and forth action… This game is going to be close tonight, it is two teams with a huge playoff history facing off to try and hang on to their spots in the playoffs. Expect a lot of back and forth action between these two teams and a rather close score line. Both goaltenders have the tendency to struggle so the score could be a little higher tonight. But then again this is the NHL where anything can happen, it could also be a 1-0 overtime game. I will not be surprised by either result as we have pretty much seen it all when these two meet.
Prediction
As I stated this game is going to remain close all night. There is going to be a lot of fight from each side and ultimately defense is going to be a deciding factor. Hall will extend his point streak to 16 games, but Aho will also have a multiple point night. This will be a one goal game but in the end…. a heartbreaker. Take the Hurricanes in regulation 4-3.
When/Where to Watch
7:00 PM, MSG+, FSSE (Carolina Feed)