Match-up - New Jersey Devils (17-17-8) @ Buffalo Sabres (11-26-4) Road/Home records - 9-11-3 -------------- 8-12-2 TV - MSG Plus 2, MSG-B Puck drop - 7:00 PM ET Season series - Devils lead 1-0 Last 10: Devils 5-3-2 / Sabres 4-4-2 Projected starting goalies - Cory Schneider vs Ryan Miller
Projected lines for the Sabres:
Matt Moulson - Tyler Ennis - Zemgus Girgensons Linus Omark - Johan Larsson - Brian Flynn Marcus Foligno - Zenon Konopka - Steve Ott Matt D'Agostini - Matt Ellis - John Scott
Mike Weber - Tyler Myers Mark Pysyk - Christian Ehrhoff Jamie McBain - Alexander Sulzer
Injuries: Cody Hodgson, Drew Stafford, Ville Leino, Cody McCormick.
Projected lines for the Devils:
Dainius Zubrus - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Ryan Clowe - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder Ryan Carter - Stephen Gionta - Steve Bernier Reid Boucher - Andrei Loktionov - Mike Sislo
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Jon Merrill - Marek Zidlicky Bryce Salvador - Anton Volchenkov
Injuries: Adam Larsson, Pete Harrold, Damien Brunner, Patrik Elias.
Game notes:
- The Sabres have been an absolute mess during 5 vs 5 play this season. They've struggled to keep the puck out of their net and have scored so rarely that they make the Devils look like the Blackhawks. If the Devils can stay disciplined and keep the game played at evens, for the most part, they should come away with two points as they have a decisive advantage there.
- Looking at the Sabres' forward core, there aren't many skill guys in the lineup. That means they'll be crashing the net looking for dirty goals to make up for the lack of talent. Bryce Salvador and Anton Volchenkov, the Devils' two most physical defenseman expected to play, will have to do a good job of moving bodies in front of the net and cleaning out the garbage.
- I thought the Reid Boucher line was excellent against the Blackhawks. They're not a physical unit and won't bring what you see from a prototypical 4th line, but they have a nice mix of speed, skill and goal scoring ability - something you don't see in most 4th lines. Against a pretty shallow Sabres team, I expect them to create their fair share of chances once again.
- The Clowe - Henrique - Ryder line had their moments, but for the most part they were pretty ineffective against Chicago after a great game prior. Often they were hemmed in their own zone and Chicago owned the bulk of the scoring chances when that unit was on the ice. The Devils need them to show up as they desperately need some consistent offense from a line that isn't Zajac's.
- Tonight is the second game of a back-to-back scenario. The Devils are 3-6-3 in the first games and 7-1-3 in the second. It'll be interesting to see if that trend continues tonight.
- Cory Schneider will be making his first start since being snubbed from the U.S. Olympic team. Perhaps a little extra motivation will be exactly what he needs to get on a bit of a wining streak.
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