Match-up - New Jersey Devils (31-33-12) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (36-35-4) Road/Home records - 13-20-4 -------------- 14-20-2 TV - MSG+, FS-O Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Season series - 2-1 Jackets Last 10 - Devils: 3-5-2 ------- Blue Jackets: 9-1-0 Projected starting goalies - Cory Schneider vs Sergei Bobrovsky
Projected lines for the Blue Jackets:
Boone Jenner - Ryan Johansen - Cam Atkinson Artem Anisimov - Brandon Dubinsky - Nick Foligno Scott Hartnell - Alexander Wennberg - Marko Dano Matt Calvert - Mark Letestu - Jeremy Morin
Jack Johnson - David Savard Kevin Connauton - Cody Goloubef Fedor Tyutin - Dalton Prout
Projected lines for the Devils:
Mike Cammalleri - Travis Zajac - Stefan Matteau Dainius Zubrus - Patrik Elias - Stephen Gionta Adam Henrique - Scott Gomez - Steve Bernier Tuomo Ruutu - Jacob Josefson - Jordin Tootoo
Andy Greene - Adam Larsson Jon Merrill - Damon Severson Eric Gelinas - Pete Harrold
Notes:
1) Tonight could be a good old fashioned goaltending duel. Sergei Bobrovsky has had a down year by his standards, but has posted a .925SV% or better in five consecutive games and seems to have righted the ship. At the other end of the rink, you have Cory Schneider and his .928SV% on the year. This could be good.
2) This is the best lineup, at least up front, that the Blue Jackets have dressed all season. They have speed, scoring ability, and good possession players on all four lines, and will surely be difficult to defend. The Blue Jackets have won nine of 10, and could very well get their 10th in 11 games tonight. As a team they allow a lot of shots/chances, but they'll certainly get their fair share with that forward group.
3) Stefan Matteau was given a legitimate opportunity to make his mark for the Ducks, and he made the most of it. While he didn't get on the scoresheet, he had a couple good chances, five hits, and earned a lot of praise from Lou Lamoriello in the process.
4) Neither the Devils or Blue Jackets have been particularly good at 5 v 5 this season. That said, with a relatively healthy lineup now, I think Columbus is the better team in that regard. They aren't very disciplined, though, so that's something New Jersey will need to take advantage of.
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