Introduction

The New Jersey Devils are looking for their fourth win in their past five games tonight as they face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets in game one of a home-and-home. 

They’re coming off a game where New Jersey was missing their captain Nico Hischier, star defenseman Dougie Hamilton, and top six wingers in Yegor Sharangovich and Pavel Zacha. Hischier is the only one of the four with a chance to play. However, the Devils are getting back forward Jimmy Vesey and goaltender Jon Gillies from COVID-19 protocols.

The Blue Jackets aren’t exactly coming into this game healthy either, with goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Alexandre Texier out with injuries, while defenseman Zach Werenski in COVID-19 protocols. Additionally, rookie forward Cole Sillinger could be out tonight.

#NJDevils Lindy Ruff on Nico Hischier participating tomorrow in morning skate ahead of hosting the Blue Jackets:

"(The) likelihood, is if things go well, he should play for us.”

— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) January 5, 2022

Projected Lines

Devils’

Lines will be available on our social medias closer to game time!

Blue Jackets

Forwards’

Laine – Jenner – Nyquist

Voracek – Foudy – Bjorkstrand

Chinakhov – Kuraly – Domi

Robinson – Roslovic – Bemstrom

Defensemen

Gavrikov – Bean

Kukan – Boqvist

Christiansen – Peeke

Goalies

Korpisalo

Berube

Pregame Notes

• Like stated previously, Nico Hischier has a chance to play tonight. This would be extremely impressive considering the alleged severity of the injury. Getting Hischier back would be huge for the Devils. The captain thus far has 20 points in 28 games as well as a 54.33 corsi-for percentage (CF%) which is second best on the team, and a 54.33 expected goals percentage (xG%) which is second best on the team as well.

• It’s not a new thing anymore that Mackenzie Blackwood has been disappointing this season. He holds an .895 save percentage (SV%) which is eighth worst in the NHL. He also has a -10.42 goals saved above average (GSAA) which is second worst in the NHL, and -0.424 goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAE/60) which is seventh worst. (All ranks minimum 10 games played).

• The goalie the Devils will most likely be facing hasn’t been better. Joonas Korpisalo of the Blue Jackets ranks last in the NHL in SV%, third last in GSAA, and fourth last in GSAE/60. (All ranks minimum 10 games played).

All statistics are via. Natural Stat Trick, Money Puck, and the NHL

Odds For Tonight’s Game

The money line odds for the Devils’ tonight are -130 against the Columbus Blue Jackets courtesy of Betway. Tonight’s over under goal matchup is set at 6 goals.