Match-up - New Jersey Devils (15-15-7) @ Chicago Blackhawks (25-7-6) Road/Home records - 8-10-3 -------------- 12-2-5 TV - MSG Plus 2, CSN-CH Puck drop - 8:00 PM ET Season series - 0-0 Last 10: Devils 4-4-2 / Blackhawks 5-3-2 Projected starting goalies - Cory Schneider vs Antti Raanta
Projected lines for the Blackhawks:
Patrick Sharp - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa Kris Versteeg - Michal Handzus - Patrick Kane Bryan Bickell - Andrew Shaw - Brandon Saad Brandon Bollig - Marcus Kruger - Ben Smith
Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook Niklas Hjalmarsson - Johnny Oduya Nick Leddy - Mike Kostka
Injuries: Corey Crawford, Nikolai Khabibulin
Projected lines for the Devils:
* Expected to return to the lineup
Dainius Zubrus - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Mattias Tedenby - Patrik Elias - Steve Bernier Reid Boucher - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder Jacob Josefson - Stephen Gionta - Cam Janssen
Andy Greene - Mark Faye Eric Gelinas - Marek Zidlicky Anton Volchenkov - Jon Merrill
Injuries: Ryane Clowe, Bryce Salvador, Adam Larsson, Ryan Carter.
Game notes:
- Tonight's game will be arguably the toughest test the Devils will face all season. They're going up against the top position team in hockey in the Blackhawks. Chicago is a dominant 5 vs 5 team and if every game was played at full strength in its entirety, they would still average over 3.00 goals per game, something only five other teams do with special teams included. Their power play is damn good, too, so the Devils best stay disciplined and keep things at even strength.
- One area the Devils have a big advantage in is their power play. They're almost clicking at almost a 20% clip on the season thanks to a recent hot stretch, and Chicago has struggled to kill penalties all season. If Chicago is undisciplined the Devils need to take advantage of that, because it will be tough to outscore them at full strength.
- Travis Zajac has been doing some masterful work of late dominating possession against the likes of Ryan Getzlaf, Nicklas Backstrom and company while producing offensively. Zajac has picked up a point in three consecutive games and six of the last seven. He'll have another very tough task against Jonathan Toews and company before getting a few days off for Christmas break. Don't expect Pete DeBoer to ease off on his minutes.
- Jaromir Jagr is on a seven-game point streak and has recorded 11 points in that span, putting the 41-year-old on pace for well over 70 points on the season. Pretty amazing, isn't it?
- Eric Gelinas has had two very mediocre games in a row, and the competition isn't getting any easier tonight. All young defenseman go through growing pains along the way so this recent mini-slump isn't too alarming, but the Devils need him to come out of it sooner rather than later.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow Todd on Twitter @ToddCordell!
Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com