Match-up - New Jersey Devils (21-24-9) @ Chicago Blackhawks (33-18-4) Road/Home records - 10-16-2 -------------- 16-7-3 TV - CSN-CH MSG+ Puck drop - 8:30 p.m. ET Season series - 1-0 Blackhawks Last 10 - Devils: 6-3-1 ------- Blackhawks: 5-3-2 Projected starting goalies - Cory Schneider vs Corey Crawford
Projected lines for the Blackhawks via DailyFaceoff.com:
Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa Patrick Sharp - Brad Richards - Patrick Kane Bryan Bickell - Andrew Shaw - Kris Versteeg Dan Carcillo - Marcus Kruger - Ryan Hartman
Niklas Hjalmarsson - Brent Seabrook Duncan Keith - David Rundblad Johnny Oduya - Michal Rozsival
Projected lines for the Devils:
Tuomo Ruutu - Mike Cammalleri - Jaromir Jagr Patrik Elias - Travis Zajac - Jordin Tootoo Adam Henrique - Scott Gomez - Steve Bernier Dainius Zubrus - Jacob Josefson - Michael Ryder
Andy Greene - Adam Larsson Jon Merrill - Marek Zidlicky Eric Gelinas - Pete Harrold
Injured/ill: Ryane Clowe, Stephen Gionta, Damon Severson, Bryce Salvador.
What to watch:
1) In an effort to provide Cory Schneider as little support as possible, the Devils are going to use Jordin Tootoo in the top-6, and give him some power play time. If Schneider isn't stellar this probably won't be close.
2) The Blackhawks are landslides better than New Jersey at even-strength, and they're very disciplined, so New Jersey may not get many chances to ice their PP. It could be a long night.
3) It'll be interesting to see how Ruutu fares playing with some skill. He's spent almost every game on the 4th line, and still has more points than Zubrus, who has played top-6 for most of the season.
4) New Jersey is averaging 16.6 shots per game over their last six games. That's included some games against softer opponents such as Edmonton and Toronto. I'll be surprised if they get more than 15 tonight.
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