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After losing to the New York Rangers a couple nights ago the New Jersey Devils will be looking to return the favor tonight at the Prudential Center.
They figure to have a good chance of doing just that as they are dressing a very skilled lineup that will closely resemble the opening night roster. Cory Schneider will also start for the first time since returning from the World Cup of Hockey.
Here is the lineup John Hynes and co. have decided on:
Taylor Hall - Adam Henrique - Beau Bennett
Mike Cammalleri - Pavel Zacha - Blake Speers
Reid Boucher - Travis Zajac - Kyle Palmieri
Joseph Blandisi - Jacob Josefson - Devante Smith-Pelly
Andy Greene - Ben Lovejoy
John Moore - Kyle Quincey
Yohann Auvitu - Jon Merrill
Cory Schneider
Anders Lindback
Notes:
1) Words cannot express how exciting it is to see the Devils dressing skill players on all four lines,
something I've been suggesting for a while. For years the Devils have had players like Stephen Gionta, Tuomo Ruutu and Jordin Tootoo, among others, playing a regular shift despite producing nothing offensively and routinely being caved in on the shot clock. The Devils may not have as much high-end talent as some teams but if they commit to going with an all-skill lineup like this positive results will surely follow. The 4th line they are using tonight, for example, should have no problem cleaning up against most 4th lines around the league.
2) Beyond Damon Severson, Vern Fiddler, Sergei Kalinin and Scott Wedgewood/Keith Kinkaid the Devils are dressing a full roster. Preseason doesn't mean much, and they haven't had much time to gel, but it'd be nice to see them take it to the Rangers tonight.
3) If Pavel Zacha is ready to skate a regular shift in the NHL it would make Hynes' job a lot easier. That way he can build his lines around duos (Hall/Henrique, Zajac/Palmieri, Cammalleri/Zacha) and rotate players like Bennett, Blandisi, Boucher and co. until he finds a match he is comfortable with. The Devils have a lot of options.
4) This is a big game for Auvitu. With Quincey in the fold the Devils have a lot of left-handed blue liners with NHL experience so he'll have to play very well to steal a spot.
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