The New Jersey Devils are back in action tonight looking to extend their winning streak to three games and sweep the season series against the Ottawa Senators in the process.
They figure to have a decent chance of doing just that as, despite winning their last two games, the Sens have won just four of their last 10 and are not playing at their best right now.
The Devils haven't played lights out of late, either, but they have won two in a row and are coming off an impressive win against the Calgary Flames.
Mike Cammalleri's return coupled with the strong play of recently recalled forwards Joseph Blandisi and Reid Boucher have given the Devils' offense a much needed shot in the arm while Cory Schneider continues to play at a ridiculously high level. That's a good recipe for success. Still, it won't be easy to beat a Senators team with some high-end talent up front and, for my money, the league's best defenseman in Erik Karlsson patrolling the blue line for half the game.
This should be a fun game between two teams duking it out for a wild card spot.
LINEUPS Note: Jacob Josefson expected to return; no word yet who comes out.
Cammalleri - Henrique - Stempniak Blandisi - Zajac - Palmieri Boucher - Kalinin - Kennedy Ruutu - Gionta - Tootoo
Greene - Larsson Moore - Severson Gelinas - Schlemko
Schneider
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Hoffman - Turris - Stone Michalek - Zibanejad - Ryan Lazar - Pageau - Chiasson McCormick - Smith - Neil
Methot - Karlsson Wiercioch - Ceci Claesson* - Borowiecki
*just assigned to AHL, no word yet who takes his spot
Anderson
Notes
1) Erik Karlsson has played 28 minutes or more in 15 consecutive games and has surpassed 30 minutes in nine of those games. Expect to see a steady dose of No. 65 in this one.
2) Cory Schneider has been excellent all year long but has been particularly stellar of late owning a .954SV% in his last four starts.
3) The Senators is the 5th highest event team in the NHL at full-strength while the Devils are the lowest. The team that's able to dictate pace will probably come out on top.
The game is at 7:00 eastern and can be seen on MSG+, RDS and TSN5.
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