The New Jersey Devils' five-game point streak came to an abrupt halt on Sunday as the New York Islanders made quick work of them in Brooklyn.
Tonight the Devils are in Buffalo looking to get back on track and they will have reinforcements to help their cause as Adam Henrique will return to the lineup.
Henrique only missed two games but the Devils certainly missed his presence. They were outscored 6-3 in the two games without him and his linemates Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak combined for just one point (an overtime assist) in that span.
Henrique is the straw that stirs the drink on the top line and that became especially evident over the last couple games.
With Henrique back in the lineup the Devils not only get their leading goal scorer back but it also allows Jacob Josefson and Joseph Blandisi - two players the Devils asked a lot of without Henrique and Travis Zajac - to slot into roles more suited for their skill set.
I think that will make a big difference.
LINEUPS Note: unsure who will leave lineup with Henrique returning.
Cammalleri - Henrique - Stempniak Blandisi - Josefson - Palmieri Elias - Kalinin - Kennedy Tlusty - Gionta - Tootoo
Greene - Larsson Moore - Severson Merrill - Schlemko
Schneider
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McGinn - O'Reilly - Reinhart Kane - Eichel - Moulson Girgensons - Larsson - Gionta Deslauriers - Legwand - Foligno
Gorges - Ristolainen Colaiacovo - Bogosian Weber - Franson
Ullmark
WHAT TO WATCH 1) Buffalo's defense - on the left side in particular - isn't overly good. If I'm a Devils player I'm targeting them with every zone entry possible and every dump in I make is going to the left side. These guys aren't the fleetest of foot and struggle to make a good first pass. Expose that.
2) Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak combined for one point in two games without Adam Henrique and that point came during 3 v 3. It'll be interesting to see if that unit can pick up where it left off tonight with No. 14 back in the fold.
3) Sam Reinhart is quietly playing good hockey right now. He's tallied seven points in his last eight games and looks to be a good fit alongside Ryan O'Reilly on the top unit. He's a guy worth paying attention to.
The game is at 7 eastern and can be seen on MSG+2, MSG-B and Bell TV.
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