Match-up - San Jose Sharks (3-0-1) @ New Jersey Devils (3-1-0) Road/Home records - 2-0-1 -------------- 0-0-0 TV - MSG, CSN-CA Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Projected starting goalies - Antti Niemi vs Cory Schneider
Projected lines for the Sharks:
Tomas Hertl - Joe Thornton - Joe Pavelski Patrick Marleau - Logan Couture - Matt Nieto Tye McGinn - Chris Tierney - Tommy Wingels Eriah Hayes - Andrew Desjardins - Mike Brown
Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Justin Braun Mirco Mueller - Brent Burns Matt Irwin - Scott Hannan
Projected lines for the Devils:
Mike Cammalleri - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Dainius Zubrus - Patrik Elias - Damien Brunner Ryane Clowe - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder Tuomo Ruutu - Stephen Gionta - Jordin Tootoo
Andy Greene - Damon Severson Bryce Salvador - Marek Zidlicky Jon Merrill - Eric Gelinas
Expected scratches: Jacob Josefson, Martin Havlat (facial injury) and Adam Larsson.
Game notes:
- The loss in Washington wasn't entirely on Cory Schneider, but he definitely didn't help the cause allowing a couple questionable goals. The Sharks have a lot of firepower up front and New Jersey has plenty of youth on the backend so there will be some mistakes. Schneider will need to be there to bail them out.
- Remember when Joe Thornton was practicing on the 4th line? Yeah, good times. He's centering the top line (as he should be) and is as dangerous as ever. New Jersey will need to play him tight because he's like an elite quarterback. If he has any time, he's going to create and find an open target.
- Speaking of the 4th line, San Jose's is, well, not good and that is putting it nicely. They're a liability every time they're on the ice and the Devils need to take advantage of that.
- Martin Havlat won't be able to play against his former team due to a facial injury that came at the hands of a ref in Washington. Damien Brunner will fill his spot on the 2nd line playing in his first game of the year. Havlat isn't expected to be out long, so if Brunner wants to remain in the lineup - either on the 2nd line or elsewhere - he'll need to play well.
- Damon Severson is New Jersey's best possession player through four games and has four points in that span while facing top competition. He'll have another tough task tonight.
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