Preview: New Jersey Devils Aim for Eighth Win of Season against Florida Panthers

The Devils look to beat the Panthers for the second time in three weeks. (Photo via. Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports).

Introduction

Tonight, the New Jersey Devils start their Florida road trip against the team baring the states’ name, the Florida Panthers. The Devils come into this game with two straight losses against the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. The Panthers won their last game against the Islanders 6-1, but they have gone 1-2-2 in their last five games overall. The Devils have gone 3-1-1 in their past five contests, with wins against the San Jose Sharks, these Panthers, and the aforementioned Islanders.

Projected Lines

New Jersey Devils –

Forwards:

Zacha-Hischier-Tatar

Johnsson-Mercer-Bratt

Sharangovich-Boqvist-Kuokkanen/Holtz

Geertsen-McLeod-Vesey/Zetterlund

Defensemen:

Graves-Hamilton

Smith-Severson

Siegenthaler-Subban

Goalies:

Blackwood

Bernier

Florida Panthers –

Forwards:

Huberdeau-Bennett-Duclair

Verhaeghe-Lundell-Reinhart

Vatrano-Thornton-Tippett

Lomberg-Luostarinen-Hornqvist

Defensemen:

Weegar-Ekblad

Forsling-Gudas

Connauton-Monour

Goalies:

Bobrovsky

Varlamov

What to Watch for:

  • Fabian Zetterlund was called up yesterday morning after Tyce Thompson was put on injured reserve. Zetterlund has had a solid start to his season in Utica (AHL), scoring nine points in 10 games to start the season. Head coach Lindy Ruff said that he will play on the road trip, however he didn’t specify whether that means both games or not. He also said that Alexander Holtz will be on the trip with the team.
  • Alexander Barkov, the Panthers team leader in both goals and points, was announced to be out week-to-week yesterday. Despite this large loss, the Panthers have a ton of depth, especially at the forward position. They’re also getting forward Joe Thornton back tonight.
  • The Devils will once again be without star center Jack Hughes. Lindy Ruff said that Hughes was progressing very well. When Jack Hughes’ injury was announced, it was said that he would be re-evaluated in five weeks. That would put him at December third which is the Devils’ final game of a two game road trip. Their next game after that is December 8th against the Flyers. That date seems to be a realistic one to expect his return, especially after the update from Ruff this past weekend.

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