Tryouts in Boston

Tonight the Devils are shipping up to Boston for their second-to-last preseason matchup of 2019. It’s a rematch of last Monday’s game when New Jersey beat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime courtesy of Jack Hughes. But that was the first preseason game for both teams, and a split-squad game for New Jersey. Tonight’s contest will probably be a better representation of what we can expect in the regular season. With that said, the focus for the game is still on who is going to make the roster, so you won’t see Taylor Hall or P.K. Subban on the ice tonight.

Related: It Wasn’t Pretty, But Devils Beat Islanders at The Rock

Projected Lines

New Jersey Devils

• Bratt-Hischier-Gusev
• Boqvist-Hughes-Simmonds
• McLeod-Coleman-Bastian
• Wood-Rooney-Hayden
  

• Greene-Tennyson
• Carrick-Mueller
• Smith-Severson
  

• Goalie: Mackenzie Blackwood

Bruins

• Marchand-Coyle-Pastrnak
• Debrusk-Krejci-Ritchie
• Heinen-Frederic-Wagner
• Lauko-Kuraly-Backes
  

• Chara-Clifton
• Vaakanainen-Petrovic
• Zboril-Didier
  

• Goalie: Tuukka Rask

What to Watch

When you’re watching the game tonight, try not to be overcome when you see Jack Hughes and Nikita Gusev. Those players will make the team and play when it matters next Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Instead, focus on the bubble guys, like Matt Tennyson, a 29-year-old defenseman that’s impressed John Hynes enough to keep him around. On offense look for Michael McLeod, who coach Hynes believes has made great strides and Nathan Bastian, who Hynes thinks adds a physical presence. Those two will battle with older guys John Hayden and Kevin Rooney for a spot on the roster. Also keep your eye on Wayne Simmonds, for we might find out where he fits in the Devils’ lineup.