Fresh off a convincing win over the Wild the New Jersey Devils are hoping for a similar result tonight as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first half of a home-and-home.
The Blue Jackets have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NHL this year as, prior to the season, many considered them all but a lock to make the playoffs.
That won't happen, obviously, as the Blue Jackets are miles out of a playoff spot in large part due to losing their first eight games of the season. Their dreadful start basically ended their season before it started.
They have put together some good stretches but certainly aren't in the midst of one right now having lost three in a row and six of 10.
We'll see if they can snap out of it tonight.
LINEUPS Kennedy - Henrique - Smith-Pelly Boucher - Zajac - Palmieri Blandisi - Kalinin - Sislo Farnham - Gionta - Ruutu
Greene - Larsson Moore - Schlemko Merrill - Severson
Kinkaid
--
Saad - Jenner - Atkinson Dubinsky - Wennberg - Bjorkstrand Hartnell - Karlsson - Foligno Campbell - Chaput - Calvert
Murray - Jones Goloubef - Savard Falk - Ramage
Bobrovsky
Notes
1) Devante Smith-Pelly has been lights out since being acquired by the Devils as he has tallied six goals, nine points and 16 scoring chances in seven games.
2) During the span of the Blue Jackets' last 10 games only the Rangers and Sabres have generated a lesser percentage of 5 v 5 shot attempts. They've been getting caved in and with several regulars out of the lineup I don't expect that to change.
3) One guy to keep your eyes on is Oliver Bjorkstrand. He was a prolific scorer in junior and he's put up pretty good numbers as a first year pro in Lake Erie (AHL) having scored 15 goals in 46 games. It'll be interesting to see how quick he is able to adjust to the NHL game.
The game is at 7:00 eastern and can be seen on MSG+2 and FS-Ohio.
Recent Posts On the handling of Damon Severson