Match-up - Ottawa Senators (14-15-6) @ New Jersey Devils (13-15-6) Road/Home records - 7-6-3 -------------- 6-5-3 TV - MSG Plus, RDS, TSN Puck drop - 7:30 PM ET Season series - Senators lead 1-0 Last 10: Senators 4-4-2 / Devils 4-5-1 Projected starting goalies - Robin Lehner vs Martin Brodeur
Projected lines for the Senators:
Clarke MacArthur - Jason Spezza - Milan Michalek Mika Zibanejad - Kyle Turris - Bobby Ryan Corey Conacher - Zack Smith - Erik Condra Colin Greening - JG Pageau - Chris Neil
Jared Cowen - Erik Karlsson Cody Ceci - Chris Phillips Joe Corvo - Patrick Wiercioch
Injuries: Marc Methot
Projected lines for the Devils:
Dainius Zubrus - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Adam Henrique - Patrik Elias - Damien Brunner Reid Boucher - Andrei Loktionov - Michael Ryder Steve Bernier - Stephen Gionta - Cam Janssen
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Eric Gelinas - Marek Zidlicky Anton Volchenkov - Jon Merrill
Injuries: Ryane Clowe, Bryce Salvador, Adam Larsson, Ryan Carter.
Some notes:
- The Senators have struggled this season due to a combination of subpar goaltending from Craig Anderson and more defensive breakdowns than you can count, but their record is deceiving. They seem to have turned a corner as they've picked up points in five of their last six games and are coming off an impressive win against a very good Blues team. If the Devils sleep on them tonight they'll get blown out of the rink.
- Martin Brodeur will once again get the nod in goal. Pete DeBoer said he was hoping one of the goaltenders would get on a roll and with Brodeur coming off a shutout, it shouldn't be a surprise he's starting. He was pretty bad against Ottawa earlier this season, so hopefully for the Devils he can change his fortunes around this time out.
- Last time these two teams met the Turris line was the best line for the Senators and as a result Zajac was matched up against his line rather than Spezza's for much of the night. That was a smart move by DeBoer, and I expect more of the same tonight. Spezza has been better of late, from what I've seen, but the Turris line has been the straw that stirs the drink for the Senators almost all season. He has the better linemates, too, as he's equipped with the best winger on the team by his side in Ryan as well as a rising star in Zibanejad. If Zajac can come close to neutralizing these guys tonight, the Devils will have a very good chance of winning this game.
- Robin Lehner is a very good goaltender and will be for a long time, so the best thing the Devils can do is throw a lot of pucks on net and drive for rebounds. They've done a better job of that recently and that will need to continue. If Lehner can see the initial shot, he'll probably stop it. The key is finding rebounds before he does.
- Stephen Gionta makes his return to the Devils lineup tonight after missing the last 11 games with an ankle injury. We're now just a Ryan Carter away from reuniting the CBGB line. What a glorious day that will be.
- The Damien Brunner-Patrik Elias duo that DeBoer loves has been very good since being reunited. They've combined for three goals and six points over their last three outings. In hopes of getting Adam Henrique going offensively he's been slotted on the left side of those two.
- DeBoer has liked what he's seen from Reid Boucher to date and as a result he may see some power play time tonight. That's something to watch out for.
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