Match-up - New Jersey Devils (25-27-10) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (26-30-4) Road/Home records - 10-18-2 -------------- 12-16-2 TV - FS-O, MSG+2 Puck drop - 5:00 p.m. ET Season series - 1-0 Devils Last 10 - Devils: 4-5-1 ------- Blue Jackets: 4-5-1 Projected starting goalies - Cory Schneider vs Curtis McElhinney
Projected lines for the Blue Jackets via DailyFaceoff.com:
Nick Foligno - Ryan Johansen - David Clarkson Alexander Wennberg - Brandon Dubinsky - Cam Atkinson Marko Dano - Artem Anisimov - Scott Hartnell Corey Tropp - Mark Letestu - Jared Boll
David Savard - Jack Johnson Jordan Leopold - James Wisniewski Fedor Tyutin - Cody Goloubef
Projected lines for the Devils:
Adam Henrique - Patrik Elias - Steve Bernier Mike Cammalleri - Travis Zajac - Jordin Tootoo Tuomo Ruutu - Scott Gomez - Martin Havlat Dainius Zubrus - Stephen Gionta - Jacob Josefson
Andy Greene - Adam Larsson Jon Merrill - Marek Zidlicky Mark Fraser - Eric Gelinas
What to watch:
1) David Clarkson is set to make his Blue Jackets debut playing against a former team in the Devils. I don't think he's nearly as good as the 30-goal player we saw his final year in New Jersey, but I think he's at least a little better than he showed in Toronto. A fresh opportunity playing with skill players should be able to help him get his game in order.
2) Ryan Johansen has gone cold of late, recording just one assist in his last five games. He needs to get going.
3) At this point the Devils are likely a write-off, as are the Blue Jackets. This game still has big implications, though. If Columbus beats New Jersey they'd be just two points behind the Devils with two games in hand. Whoever finishes lower will obviously get a better pick, and also have a better chance at winning the lottery.
4) Adam Larsson's offensive game has really taken off of late, as he has six points in his last five games played. He now has a respectable 18 points in 44 games (33 point pace) and is on pace to blow past his previous career high of 18 points in 65 games. There haven't been a lot of positives in New Jersey this season, but he is definitely one of them.
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