Tonight the New Jersey Devils host the Chicago Blackhawks in their final game before the holiday break.
They'll be looking to extend their winning streak to four games and, with help elsewhere, reclaim top spot in the Metro more than 40% through the season.
The Devils will have reinforcements to help their cause as rookie standout Jesper Bratt is ready to return from injury and will replace the struggling Drew Stafford.
While the Devils are playing good hockey – and playing with a full lineup for maybe the first time this season – this game is anything but a gimme.
Chicago ranks top-10 in Corsi For% and Scoring Chance For% on the year, and over the last 10 games, so they've been good and probably deserve a better record than they have.
They're also coming off a stinker of a performance against Dallas and you can bet they'll want to right the ship this evening and head into the break feeling good about themselves.
This will be a tough game and a good measuring stick for exactly where the Devils are at.
Here are the projected lineups:
New Jersey
Taylor Hall - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri Marcus Johansson - Travis Zajac - Jesper Bratt Miles Wood - Pavel Zacha - Brian Gibbons Blake Coleman - Brian Boyle - Stefan Noesen
Andy Greene - Steven Santini John Moore - Sami Vatanen Will Butcher - Damon Severson
Cory Schneider
Chicago (via DailyFaceoff.com)
Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Alex DeBrincat Nick Schmaltz - Artem Anisimov - Patrick Kane Ryan Hartman - Vince Hinostroza - Richard Panik Lance Bouma - Tommy Wingels - John Hayden
Duncan Keith - Jordan Oesterle Michal Kempny - Brent Seabrook Gustav Forsling - Connor Murphy
Corey Crawford
What to watch for:
1) The right side of Chicago's defense is not very good and is especially slow. I think New Jersey's team speed, especially on the left wing, could cause them all kinds of problems in this one. I'd be targeting them through the neutral zone and on entries.
2) I'd like to see Johansson be a little selfish and shoot more moving forward. He's playing with a couple very pass-happy players and scored 61 goals over the three seasons prior to this so we know he has some finishing ability. He's going to have to use it.
3) Vatanen registered six shots on goal in his first eight games as a Devil. He has nine shots on goal over the last two and could have more if teammates hit him when he had his stick in the air waiting to unleash a one-timer. Nevertheless, he's starting to get involved offensively and is using his shot more. His first goal as a Devil will probably come sooner than later if that continues – he has a cannon.
4) Among 25 goaltenders who have played 1,000+ minutes at 5v5, Crawford ranks 3rd in save percentage and Schneider ranks 9th. This could well turn into a goaltending duel.
5) The Blackhawks lead the league with a +30 penalty differential at 5v5. For perspective of how good they are in that regard, the Devils are tied for 12th with a +3 differential. Don't be surprised if the Blackhawks get the edge in PPs and win the special teams battle as a result.
Puck drop is just after 7:00 p.m. Eastern and can be seen on MSG+ and WGN.