Matchup Preview
After a tough loss last night against the Philadelphia Flyers, the New Jersey Devils travel to Boston to take on the red hot Bruins. Boston was 11-0-2 in February and are peaking just in time for the playoff run. The Devils sit 27th in the league standings with 58 points. Throw in all of the injuries and the players shipped out at the deadline and New Jersey is skating with a roster largely made up of Binghamton players. Add to the fact this is the second half of a back-to-back, and it may be a very long night for Jersey.
Projected Lines
New Jersey Devils
Bratt – Hischier – Stafford
Agostino – Zajac – Coleman
Lappin – McLeod – Bastian
Pietila – Rooney – Gabriel
Greene – Severson
Butcher – Vatanen
Yakovlev – Carrick
Blackwood
Schneider
Boston Bruins
Marchand – Bergeron – Heinen
Debrusk – Krejci – Johansson
Cehlarik – Coyle – Backes
Nordstrom – Acciari – Wagner
Chara – Mcavoy
Krug – Carlo
Moore – Grzelcyk
Rask
Halak
Players to Watch
Marcus Johansson… After coming on strong prior to the deadline, Johansson was traded to the Bruins and eyes a shot at the playoffs. He has five points in his last five games and will be looking to put some points up against his old team. A possible Johansson/Moore connection on the stat sheet tonight wouldn’t be surprising in the least bit.
Jesper Bratt… Last year Bratt fell off pretty hard late in the season, but his aims are to finish the year strong. He’s already off to a good start, with a two-point night yesterday against Philadelphia, matching his point total from last March already. With a completely depleted lineup, it will be up to the top guys to produce. And right now, Bratt falls heavily into that category.
Where to Watch
TD Garden 7:00 pm
MSG+, NESN
Prediction
If the Devils want to have any chance in this one, Blackwood will need to be ridiculous. Unfortunately, Tuukka Rask has been red hot as of late as well, having won four of his last five starts, with the only loss coming in a shootout. Given all the factors coming into this one, it just seems like too much to overcome for New Jersey and they fall 3-0.