The New Jersey Devils return to action tonight when they host their biggest rivals in the New York Rangers.
It's almost always a fun, chippy game when these teams meet and this contest should be no different given where both teams are at.
After hitting a bit of a rough patch, the Devils have gotten back on track winning their last two games and are in position to reclaim top spot in the Metro if they can extend that streak to three.
Meanwhile, the Rangers have won three consecutive games and could get within two points of Washington for 1st in the Metro if they're able to come out on top this evening.
Suffice to say, this a very meaningful game for both teams and perhaps the most important one they've played against each other in three years.
Gameday.
— Devils Insiders (@DevilsInsiders) December 21, 2017
Unless, I'm missing an obvious one...this is the biggest #NJDevils/Rangers game for both sides since the Yankee Stadium game on January 26, 2014.
NYR, 2nd in Metro, had 57 points.
NJ had 55 points, 1 back of the Wild Card.#LGD
Here are the projected lineups:
New Jersey
Taylor Hall - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri Marcus Johansson - Travis Zajac - Brian Gibbons Miles Wood - Pavel Zacha - Drew Stafford Blake Coleman - Brian Boyle - Stefan Noesen
Andy Greene - Steven Santini John Moore - Sami Vatanen Will Butcher - Damon Severson
Cory Schneider
New York (via DailyFaceoff.com)
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Pavel Buchnevich Rick Nash - J.T. Miller - Mats Zuccarello Michael Grabner - Kevin Hayes - Jesper Fast Paul Carey - David Desharnais - Jimmy Vesey
Ryan McDonagh - Nick Holden Brady Skjei - Kevin Shattenkirk Marc Staal - Brendan Smith
Henrik Lundqvist
What to watch for:
1) The Rangers' top line has been absolutely spectacular as they own a 55.7 Corsi For% and 58.35 Expected Goals For% over ~185 minutes. The Devils don't really have a true matchup pairing – the Greene, Santini unit has struggled mightily at times – so it'll be interesting to see how much they can slow this line down.
2) The Staal - Smith pairing has been a disaster this season allowing 67 shot attempts/60 and 2.9 expected goals against/60. For perspective of how bad that is, the last place Coyotes allow 62.3 shot attempts/60 and 2.6 expected goals against/60. John Hynes needs to use last change to his advantage and get Hall - Nico - Palmieri out against this pairing every chance he can. They are a trainwreck.
3) Lundqvist didn't have a great start to the season but he has been exceptional of late posting a .938 save percentage over his last seven appearances. He's clearly on top of his game right now so the Devils need to make his job as difficult as possible by getting traffic in front of him and ensuring there are bodies around the net waiting to pounce on any 2nd chance opportunities that present themselves.
4) Stafford hasn't recorded a point in 15 games or a goal in 17 games yet continues to play ~14 minutes per game and see power play time. I've got to think his leash is tightening so if he doesn't start producing something, anything, fast, he could lose his spot in the lineup – as he should.
5) For just the second time this season, Hall has failed to record a point three times in the span of four games. He's still generating chances – he had five last game, for example – so I'd bet on him breaking through and getting back on the scoresheet tonight.
Puck drop is just after 7:00 p.m. Eastern and can be seen on MSG and MSG+2.
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