Overview

After a humiliating 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils (8-8-1) will look to bounce back against the Columbus Blue Jackets (5-11-4) Friday in a matinee matchup at the Prudential Center. The Devils have been in free fall as of late, losing six of their past seven games.

The Devils are in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division with 17 points. The Blue Jackets are in eighth place with 14.

Lines and Pairings

Devils’ Lines

Check our social media pages closer to game time for lines and pairings with updated injury news.

Blue Jackets’ Lines

Forwards

Gaudreau-Jenner-Marchenko

Voronkov-Fantilli-Laine

Chinakhov-Sillinger-Olivier

Danforth-Kuraly-Robinson

Defense

Werenski-Boqvist

Provorov-Jiricek

Bean-Gudbranson

Goalies

Merzlikins

Martin

Keys to the Game

Goaltending Needs to be Better

During yesterday’s players-only meeting, defenseman Brendan Smith said that stout defense leads to offensive chances, and this couldn’t be more true. It starts with the man in the net.

Specifically, Vitek Vanecek has regressed heavily in his second year with New Jersey, posting a .886 save percentage (SV%) and -7.44 goals saved above expected (GSAx) through 13 games. On the surface, these appear to be unsustainable numbers given his career averages. However, he’s been woeful thus far.

Injury Update

Neither Tomas Nosek nor Timo Meier skated with the team at practice on Thursday. Meanwhile, Nico Hischier skated on Curtis Lazar and Chris Tierney’s line yesterday, but still seems unlikely he’s ready to return.

Where to Watch

Friday’s game can be seen on MSGSN at 3:00 PM EST.