Matchup Overview

The New Jersey Devils are taking on the Boston Bruins at TD Garden tonight at 7:00. We are all aware of the Devils struggles on the road with a 3-12-3 record. That is beyond abysmal and New Jersey will look to turn it around in their final game of the 2018 calendar year, although they notoriously struggle against Boston. To make the challenge even greater, they’ll have to earn a victory without two of their top-six forwards.

Keys to the Game

Everyone Contribute… Taylor Hall and Marcus Johansson are both out tonight with injury. It is very important that the Devils see production from everyone and not just Nico Hischier and Kyle Palmieri. This will also include the defensive side of things, meaning another stand on their head performance from Mackenzie Blackwood, who has been confirmed as the starter.

Contain the Bruins Top Line… That line would be Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. They have a combined 118 points already (46 G, 72 A), and have been a force to be reckoned with all season long. The trio doesn’t appear to show any signs of slowing down either. The Devils defense is really going to have buckle down and play them hard if they want to keep them off the score sheet.

Lineups

For Boston Bruins…

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak;
Heinen-Krejci-DeBrusk;
Donato-Cave-Backes;
Nordstrom-Kuraly-Wagner;

Chara-Grzelcyk;
Krug-Carlo;
Moore-Miller.

For New Jersey…

Bratt-Hischier-Palmieri;
Quenneville-Zajac-Coleman;
Wood-Zacha-Noesen;
Boyle-Seney-Stafford.

Greene-Severson;
Santini-Vatanen;
Butcher-Lovejoy.

Blackwood.

Players to watch

Kyle Palmieri… The Devils leading goal scorer is going to be the player to watch on New Jersey. He is going to need a big night on the score sheet if his team wants a chance to win this game. He has come up clutch a few times already this season and he will need to do it again.

Jaroslav Halak… It is more than likely that the Boston netminder will not face a heavy workload so he will have to be on his game. He cannot afford to let in a soft one otherwise it could open up the floodgates for the Devils. Even if he does see a heavy workload he will still have to be sharp especially if the Devils find themselves down a goal with only two minutes to go.

Prediction

There is no sugar coating this. I am going to keep it brief and simple. The Devils are screwed. Take the Bruins to win 4-0. The terrible road record and lack of their best player, plus an unproven goaltender, is going to hurt them.

Statement Games Picks

We are playing tonight’s game on StatementGames and you should too! Here are our lock picks:

Damon Severson will play OVER 22 minutes

New Jersey Devils UNDER 0.5 Power Play Goals

When/Where to Watch

7:00 MSG+ and NESN (Boston Area)