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NHL Gameday Preview: New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers - Game 18

November 12, 2013, 1:50 PM ET [236 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Match-up - New Jersey Devils (5-7-5) @ New York Rangers (9-8-0)
Road/Home records - 2-6-3 -------------- 4-2-0
TV - MSG, MSG Plus
Puck drop - 7:00 PM ET
Season series - Devils lead 1-0
Last 10: Devils 5-3-2 / Rangers 7-3-0
Projected starting goalies - Martin Brodeur (NJD) v. Henrik Lundqvist (NYR)

Goals for/against per game

New York - 2.29/2.71
New Jersey - 2.06/2.35

Power play/Penalty Kill

New York - 19.6%/82.3%
New Jersey - 18.3%/85.7%

Projected lines for the Rangers:

Carl Hagelin - Brad Richards - Ryan Callahan
Chris Kreider - Derek Stepan - Mats Zuccarello
Benoit Pouliot - Derick Brassard - Derek Dorsett
Brandon Mashinter - Brian Boyle - J.T. Miller

Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi
Marc Staal - Anton Stralman
John Moore - Michael Del Zotto

Projected lines for the Devils:

Dainius Zubrus - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr
Damien Brunner - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder
Mattias Tedenby - Andrei Loktionov - Steve Bernier
Ryan Carter - Jacob Josefson - Cam Janssen

Andy Greene - Peter Harrold
Anton Volchenkov - Marek Zidlicky
Eric Gelinas - Adam Larsson

Notable injuries: Ryane Clowe, Patrik Elias, Stephen Gionta, Bryce Salvador, Jon Merrill.

Some notes:

- 41-year-old Jaromir Jagr has been red hot of late recording 10 points in his last 10 games, including scoring two game-winners. If he's able to record another game-winner tonight, he'll tie Gordie Howe for most all-time with 121.

- Travis Zajac has been going against the top players of opposing teams all season long and I don't expect that to change tonight. Pete DeBoer will likely want Zajac out there against Brad Richards, who has been on fire of late picking up five points over his last three games. If Zajac can keep Richards off the scoresheet, it will go a long way towards getting a win.

- Hagelin has been a beast since returning from injury. He has points in six of seven games played and has eight points (four goals, four assist) in that time. He's a very creative player and he plays at a high speed, so the Devils will need to watch out for him tonight. If the defense gets caught flat footed, Hagelin will make them pay - much like Michael Grabner seems to do whenever he faces the Devils.

- After an abysmal start to the season, the Devils seem to be turning the corner. They've recorded five of a possible six points over the last three games and have a 4-2-2 record over their last eight.

- Eric Gelinas has points in three consecutive games and in five of the eight games he's played. Not only has he been producing offense, but he's been good defensively and has posted impressive possession numbers.

- Not sure if I'm more surprised Cam Janssen hasn't picked taken a penalty/fought this season or the fact he has two goals in three games. Probably the latter. Regardless, I don't expect either streak to last much longer. Chances are Janssen won't score on this night and I'm pretty confident he'll end up dropping the mitts with Derek Dorsett.

- Martin Brodeur seems to have found his game as he's won four of his last five starts and has only allowed five goals over that span. He's tallied two shutouts, too, and has stopped 78 of the last 80 shots he's faced overall. Another quality start would be huge.

- Speaking of Brodeur, if he manages to record another shutout tonight I believe he'd be the first goaltender over the age of 40 to ever accomplish such a feat. Something to keep an eye on.

- After Sunday's 6-6 performance on the penalty kill, the Devils now have the 6th ranked PK in the NHL. The Devils don't usually take many penalties, but it's good to be able to kill them - and even score the occasional goal - when they do.

- It's still very early, but with a regulation win tonight the Devils would move within one point of a playoff spot.

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