Overview
The gauntlet of a week continues for the New Jersey Devils (44-17-7). After a shutout victory against the Carolina Hurricanes, the team followed that up with two losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning. New Jersey enters the first of a back-to-back set as they take on the Florida Panthers (34-27-7).
New Jersey is nipping at the heels of the Hurricanes for first place in the division. As it stands, they sit one point back, but Carolina has one game in hand. Florida is fighting for every two points.
They currently sit on the outside looking in, but have been playing better as of late. Florida has won four of its last five which includes a beat down to Montreal 9-5. This game should have a playoff type feel with two big points on the line.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey Devils –
Forwards
Tatar-Hischier-Mercer
Meier-Hughes-Boqvist
Palat-Haula-Bratt
Sharangovich-McLeod-Lazar
Defense
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Graves-Marino
Bahl-Severson
Goalies
Schmid
Vanecek
Florida Panthers –
Forwards
Luostarinen-Barkov-Duclair
Verhaeghe-Bennett-Tkachuk
Lomberg-Lundell-Reinhart
Cousins-Staal-White
Defense
Forsling-Ekblad
Staal-Montour
Mahura-Gudas
Goalie
Bobrovsky
Guzda
What To Watch For
Matthew Tkachuk
He may not win the Hart Trophy, but Matthew Tkachuk has been a force for the Panthers. He is on the verge of hitting the century point mark for the second season in a row.
Tkachuk is on a heater right now. He has three goals, nine assists, and 12 points in his last five games. His 91 points is 30-plus more than the next highest total on the Panthers. Tkachuk will be one player that the Devils will need to be aware of.
Jesper Bratt
As of late, the depth scoring has been picking up the slack. The big guns could get going a bit more, one guy in particular is Jesper Bratt.
It has been a tough month production wise. Bratt has just two goals in his last five and three total in the month of March. With a gauntlet of a schedule the rest of the way, this is one guy the Devils need to get going. Thankfully, the Devils have depth, but the big guns getting going is a plus.
How To Watch
Tonight’s puck drop is at 6:00 PM and will be on MSGN.