After dropping consecutive games in underwhelming fashion the New Jersey Devils will be looking to end their road trip through Western Canada on a positive note with a win over the Vancouver Canucks.
The Devils entered the road trip red hot having won 10 of 13 but they've looked like a much different team as they undoubtedly put forth their worst two efforts of the season. The Devils looked lifeless in long spurts and registered just 20 shots on goal against Calgary and Edmonton, two teams with defensive issues.
The good news for the Devils is they should have no problem exceeding those totals playing against a Canucks team that allows 30+ shots a night and is in the latter half of a back-to-back.
Even with a win it will still be a disappointing road trip for the Devils but it's imperative that they get something out of it and return home with two points.
LINEUPS Cammalleri - Henrique - Stempniak Kalinin - Zajac - Palmieri Tlusty - Josefson - Tootoo Farnham - Gionta - O'Neill
Greene - Larsson Moore - Severson Merrill - Schlemko
Schneider
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Sedin - Sedin - Hansen Baertschi - McCann - Higgins Burrows - Horvat - Virtanen Prust - Cracknell - Dorsett
Edler - Tanev Hamhuis - Weber Sbisa - Bartkowski
Markstrom
THREE KEYS 1) Push the pace. The Canucks played against the Blackhawks last night while the Devils sat and watched. They need to keep their feet moving, distribute the puck quickly and make it as difficult as possible for the Canucks to keep up.
2) The Devils' offense has been good for much of the year but they've struggled to fill the net of late. They'll need a quality start from Cory Schneider tonight.
3) Secondary scoring. New Jersey's top-6 forwards have been scoring at a good rate but the bottom-6 hasn't provided much. The Devils need that to change with some of their top guys in a slump. The game is at 10 eastern and can be seen on MSG and SN Pacific.
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