After picking up a shutout victory in Ottawa the New Jersey Devils are back on home ice looking to extend their winning streak to three games.
They haven't been able to string together three wins in a row since mid October and it certainly won't prove to be an easy task this time around as they play host to the 1st place Dallas Stars.
The Stars are in a bit of a cold spell by their standards yet they've still won six of 10 and recorded at least a point in seven of 10.
Much like the last game against Ottawa tonight's matchup is a battle of two teams with very different playing styles.
The best way to illustrate that is by looking at 5 vs 5 events (shot attempts for + against) per 60 minutes played.
The Devils are the league's lowest event team averaging just 88.8 per 60 minutes while the Stars rank 1st with 117.3.
Though the Devils beat the Senators 2-0 they were not the better team. If that's the case again tonight I have a very hard time believing they'll be able to muster up another positive result.
LINEUPS Cammalleri - Zajac - Palmieri Tlusty - Henrique - Stempniak Matteau - Kalinin - Sislo Farnham - Gionta - Tootoo
Greene - Moore Schlemko - Larsson Merrill - Severson
Schneider
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Benn - Seguin - Sharp Janmark - Spezza - Nichushkin Roussel - Eakin - Sceviour Moen - Fiddler - Eaves
Goligoski - Klingberg Oduya - Demers Jokipakka - Benn
Niemi
NOTES 1) It is imperative that the Devils slow the pace down in this game and turn it into a chess match. The Stars completely overmatch them in terms of high-end talent so if this turns into a run-and-gun game it certainly won't end well for the Devils. Clog up the neutral zone, make short, smart passes with the puck and try to work the defense down low as much as possible.
2) No team averages more goals, shots or scoring chances on a per game basis than the Stars. Even if the Devils can slow Dallas' attack down Cory Schneider will likely still face a lot of rubber. He'll probably have to steal the game if the Devils are going to win.
3) The Stars generate 57% of the shot attempts, 56% of the scoring chances and 62% of the goals with the Benn - Seguin - Sharp line on the ice at full-strength. Simply put they're as deadly as any line in hockey. The Devils need their defense to keep tight gaps and all hands on deck in terms of pressuring them through the neutral zone on the back check.
The game is at 7:00 eastern and can be seen on MSG+ and FS-SW.
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