Matchup Overview

It’s old news that the New Jersey Devils have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Devils are two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are basically in the same situation as the Devils. At this point, the subsequent wins and losses will only impact the Devil’s position in the upcoming draft. Considering the insistent burden of striving for the playoffs (despite the dwindling odds over the recent months) has finally been lifted, it puts a game like this into perspective. Would the Devils be better off playing with a false sense of purpose and go for the win, or accept a loss that would widen the point margin the Blue Jackets have on the Devils and put them in a better position come draft time?

 

Opponent Overview

Offense…The Jacket’s fortunes have changed mightily since their last meet with the Devils, winning nine out of their last 11, during which their offense scored 38 times. Although top scorers Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno only accounted for five of those goals over that stretch, all five were scored over the last seven games. Columbus’ outburst has been supplemented by the play of Scott Hartnell and Cam Atkinson. Both players have respectively scored nine and seven goals over their last 11 games. The Jackets will be without deadline acquisition Rene Bourque, who was off to a decent start with his new team. He had four goals in his first eight games with Columbus before suffering a season-ending injury ten days ago.

 

Defense…Four different defensemen each scored once over Columbus’ last 11 games. The sparing offense the defense has generated as of late has dropped slightly since the departure of veteran defenseman James Wisniewski. He was the team’s leading shooter amongst defensemen, and along with Jack Johnson, was a cornerstone on the point for the Jacket’s power play. Nonetheless, Columbus’ power play has operated at a 33.3% efficiency rate since Wisniewski was traded, which is consistent with them currently having the fifth-best power play in the league. In the 64 games the Jackets played up until Wisniewski’s departure, the defense scored 36 goals over that stretch (.56% per game). The four goals scored by defensemen over the last 11 games rounds out to an average of (.36% per game).

 

Goaltending…Since beating the Devils in their previous matchup, Sergei Bobrovsky has appeared in ten contests (one partial game), posting an 8-1-0 record, and winning his last five starts. Despite being ultimately able to attain the victories, his numbers have been respectable at the least, posting a 2.30 GAA and surrendering 23 goals on 341 shots (.932 SV%). In his last ten appearances, Bobrovsky has faced 30 or more shots in eight of those games and remarkably pulled off a victory in every one of them.

 

Who to watch

Brandon Dubinsky…The notorious Devil killer over the years hasn’t skipped a beat against them this season. Despite playing one game against them this year, Dubinsky has a goal and two points against New Jersey, adding to his career totals against them of 13 goals and 28 points in 37 games. Dubinsky’s gone five games without scoring a goal, despite his team’s success. Coincidently, his last goal came against no one other than the team he’s preparing to face off against tonight.

 

Patrik Elias…The Devil’s offense hasn’t turned many heads this March. They managed to score three or more goals four times in the 13 games they’ve played this month going into tonight and only won five of those contests. Patrik Elias has been the closest thing the Devils have to a somewhat productive forward as of late. He’s posted seven points in his last 11 games and just one of those points was a goal. He’s gotten on the score sheet against the Jackets in the three games he’s played against them with two assists…so there’s that.

 

What to watch

Will the Jackets match…? Barring any type of point gain by the Bruins tonight, the Blue Jackets will join the Devils in being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. It puts the overall significance of this game into perspective for the Blue Jackets, especially considering how they’re entering tonight’s matchup on a six-game winning streak. Beating the Devils tonight will eclipse their longest winning streak of the season, which was seven games. Although the playoffs are ultimately out of reach for the Jackets, finishing the season with a streak like this will give their fans something to cheer about. It’s also worth noting a loss tonight would also give the Devils their longest winless streak of the season (six).

 

Where to watch

Fox Sports- Ohio

MSG Plus

 

When to watch

7:00pm EST