The Devils are currently riding a six-game losing streak, so they will try to stop the bleeding on the front end of a back-to-back tonight. Colorado enters this game as one of the best teams in the league, and currently have a 4-0-1 record in December. With tons of speed and firepower throughout their lineup, the Devils’ defense is going to have their hands full all night.
Projected New Jersey Lines
Forwards
Hall – Hischier – Palmieri
Coleman – Zajac – Gusev
Boqvist – Hughes – Simmonds
Wood – Zacha – Bratt
Defense
Greene – Subban
Butcher – Vatanen
Mueller – Severson
Goalies
Domingue
Blackwood
Projected Avalance Lines
Forwards
Burakovsky – MacKinnon – Donskoi
Landeskog – Kadri – Rantanen
Calvert – Bellemare – Nichushkin
Nieto – Jost – Compher
Defense
Girard – Zadorov
Graves – Cole
Rosen – Barberio
Goalies
Grubauer
Francouz
Who to Watch
Jack Hughes
It may seem obvious considering Hughes is a “must-watch” nearly every game, but I am looking forward to how he plays in what appears to be an up-tempo match-up. With only two points in his last five games, and some very sloppy turnovers as of late, it will be interesting to see if the return of Nico Hischier relieves some of the pressure he may have been feeling.
Andre Burakovsky
Once highly coveted by Devils’ fans, Burakovsky has settled in nicely with Colorado. With 23 points in 28 games and a shooting percentage of 21.8, it’s safe to say he’s incredibly dangerous whenever he touches the ice. Throw in his six-foot-four frame, and the Devils are going to have their hands full with him tonight.
Prediction
The Devils just aren’t playing good hockey right now, and Colorado is. After an absolutely abysmal showing in Dallas, I would expect a better showing tonight. But, this one could get away early and leave the Devils scrambling most of the night. Add in the fact that tonight’s starter Louis Domingue has allowed 11 goals in his last two starts, this has nightmare written all over it. Avalanche take this one 5-2.
Where to Watch
ESPN+, MSG+, Pepsi Center 9:00 p.m.