Match Overview
Tonight, the New Jersey Devils (32-13-8) return to action for the first time January 27. For the first time in a long time, the New Jersey Devils are playing meaningful hockey and are making a push for the playoffs.
The Devils went on a run in January winning nine games and look to build off that monster month post-All-Star break. Currently, the team is eight points back of the Carolina Hurricanes for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
The home stretch begins now, with a battle of the Hughes brothers. Coming to town is the Vancouver Canucks (20-26-3), and this will be the first game for them since the big Bo Horvat trade. New Jersey took the first meeting during their historic run in a 5-2 victory.
Note, good news on the injury front as it appears as if defenseman John Marino is set to return from injury.
Projected Lineups
Vancouver Canucks:
Forwards –
Kuzmenko-Pettersson-Boeser
Beauvillier-Miller-Garland
Joshua-Dries-Lazar
Di Giuseppe-Studnicka-Burroughs
Defense –
Hughes-Bear
Ekman Larsson-Schenn
Stillman-Myers
Goaltending –
Delia
Martin
New Jersey Devils –
Forwards:
Palat-Hischier-Bratt
Sharangovich-Hughes-Zetterlund
Tatar-Haula-Mercer
Wood-McLeod-Bastian
Defense:
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Graves-Severson
Smith-Marino
Goaltending:
Vanecek
Blackwood
What To Watch For
The Hughes Brothers
It will be an even bigger deal once Luke Hughes gets in on the fun, but the other Hughes brothers are ones to watch tonight. Both are having great campaigns for their respective clubs. Quinn Hughes ranks second on the Canucks with 45 points, and first in assists (40).
Meanwhile, Jack Hughes has been a rockstar for the Devils. He leads the Devils in points and goals, and earned NHL’s First Star for the month of January. Hughes went on to record a point in every game, and finished the month with 13 goals, 10 assists, and 23 points.
It should be a great battle between the two brothers.
Vitek Vanecek
Vanecek has been everything you could want in your number one goaltender. Overall, he has a 21-5-2 record and a .917 save percentage. In addition, he ranks 15th in the entire league with 9.0 goals saved above expected.
Prior to the break, he was on a heater. Vanecek won all nine of his starts and never allowed more than three goals. During that time, he posted a 2.07 goals against average and .932 save percentage. He has been a rock in net and is looking to continue his hot play between the pipes.
How To Watch
Tonights matchup is at 7:30 P.M. and can be found on MSG.