For just the second time since the middle of October the New Jersey Devils have lost consecutive games.
They've been a very resilient group this season and have bounced back almost immediately after each loss they've suffered.
That was not the case Saturday night as they fell 2-1 to a struggling Anaheim Ducks team and will now face a steep test tonight in Boston.
The Bruins have not only picked up points in nine of their last 10 but they are tied for 3rd in the league with 102 goals. The Devils are pretty stingy defensively but that's bad news for a team struggling to generate shots (or goals) right now.
This is going to be a very tough game and one the Devils will certainly have to be better in if they want to have any chance of winning and climbing back into a tie for a wild card spot.
LINEUPS Cammalleri - Henrique - Stempniak Ruutu - Zajac - Palmieri Elias - Kalinin - Kennedy Tlusty - Gionta - Josefson
Greene - Larsson Moore - Severson Merrill - Schlemko/Gelinas
Schneider
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Marchand - Bergeron - Connolly Beleskey - Krejci - Eriksson Vatrano - Spooner - Hayes Ferraro - Talbot - Randell
Chara - McQuaid Seidenberg - C. Miller Kruger - K. Miller
Rask
WHAT TO WATCH 1) The Devils have generated 22 shots or less in three straight and five of their last eight. They're really struggling offensively right now and that probably won't change tonight with a tired team playing a fresh one. Cory Schneider will have to be on his game in this one.
2) Ryan Spooner has 10 points and 14 shots in his last six games. He's having an excellent season but isn't getting the respect he deserves playing behind Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. The Devils can't afford to sleep on him in this one. 3) Boston's power play has been insanely good this season as they've scored on 29.2%(!!) of their tries. The Devils can't afford to parade to the box and spot the Bruins goals because a) the Devils are struggling to score right now and; b) they won't have the energy to fight an uphill battle.
The game is at 5 eastern and can be seen on MSG+ and NESN.