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G28 New Jersey Devils @ Toronto Maple Leafs: Facing An Old Friend

December 8, 2015, 11:47 AM ET [132 Comments]
Todd Cordell
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The New Jersey Devils haven't played their best hockey of late yet they've collected points in five of their last six games and three straight overall.

They'll be looking to keep that streak going tonight against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that has won just nine of 27 games thus far.

The Leafs have struggled to fill the net since the word go and don't appear to match up favourably against an elite shot suppression team like the Devils.

In theory the Devils should be in good shape but this game likely won't be as easy as one would think. The Maple Leafs are probably deserving of a better record - they were sunk by dreadful goaltending early on - and will surely be motivated to help GM Lou Lamoriello pick up a win against his former team.

The Devils have to be much better than they were the last couple times out if they want to prevent that from happening.

LINEUPS

Cammalleri - Henrique - Stempniak
Kennedy - Elias - Palmieri
O'Neill - Josefson - Tootoo
Kalinin - Gionta - Farnham

Greene - Larsson
Moore - Severson
Merrill - Schlemko

Schneider

--

van Riemsdyk - Bozak - Parenteau
Holland - Kadri - Komarov
Grabner - Spaling - Winnik
Mathias - Froese - Boyes

Gardiner - Phaneuf
Hunwick - Rielly
Marincin - Polak

Sparks

WHAT TO WATCH

1) Garrett Sparks is a good prospect but at this point in his career he's at absolute best an average NHL goaltender. The Devils should be looking to get as many pucks and bodies to the net as possible.

2) Only Anaheim and Philadelphia score less 5 vs 5 goals per game than the Maple Leafs. If the Devils stay out of the box and don't spoon feed the Leafs favourable offensive situations they should have a good chance to win.

3) Mike Cammalleri is red hot having registered eight points and eight shots in his last three games. Can he keep it going against his hometown team? Only four teams allow more shots per game than the Leafs so he and his linemates should get plenty of looks.

The game is at 7:30 eastern and can be seen on MSG, TSN4.

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