Match-up - Florida Panthers (17-21-7) @ New Jersey Devils (18-18-9) Road/Home records - 8-12-2 -------------- 9-6-6 TV - FS-F, MSG Plus Puck drop - 7:00 PM ET Season series - 0-0 Last 10: Panthers 5-4-1 / Devils 4-3-3 Projected starting goalies - Tim Thomas vs Cory Schneider
Projected lines for the Panthers:
Tomas Fleischmann - Nick Bjugstad - Scottie Upshall Sean Bergenheim - Aleksander Barkov - Brad Boyes Jonathan Huberdeau - Marcel Goc - Tomas Kopecky Krys Barch - Drew Shore - Jimmy Hayes
Brian Campbell - Tom Gilbert Erik Gudbranson - Ed Jovanovski Dmitry Kulikov - Mike Weaver
Injuries: Dylan Olsen, Alex Petrovic.
Projected lines for the Devils:
*Double shifted center
Dainius Zubrus - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Ryan Clowe - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder Ryan Carter - Stephen Gionta - Steve Bernier Reid Boucher - * - Mike Sislo
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Jon Merrill - Marek Zidlicky Bryce Salvador - Anton Volchenkov Eric Gelinas
Injuries: Pete Harrold, Damien Brunner, Patrik Elias.
Game notes:
- The Florida Panthers have drastically improved since making a coaching change, but they're still a ways out of the playoffs due to their dreadful start. This is a big game for both teams, obviously, as a win for the Panthers puts them five points out (depending on what else happens tonight) while a Devils win may get them within a point of a playoff spot. The Devils need to make sure they don't take things lightly here as the Panthers will make them pay if that's the case.
- One area the coaching change hasn't really helped the Panthers is in special teams, an area the Devils have a clear advantage. The Devils PP has been inconsistent at times, but overall it's been pretty good this year while they have one of the best PK units in the league and are over 90% at home. If the Devils can win the special teams battle, they'll probably come away with two points.
- One key for the Devils tonight if Tim Thomas starts, as expected, is to move the puck side-to-side and crash the net for rebounds. He's all over the place and there tends to be a lot of loose pucks around the crease when he's in goal, so the Devils will be able to take advantage of that if they're on their toes.
- Travis Zajac is getting a bit of a night off in terms of trying to shut down top skill players as Nick Bjugstad is no Sidney Crosby, Nicklas Backstrom or Ryan Getzlaf, at least not yet. Bjugstad will, however, be tough to control as his size and ability to protect the puck then create chances could be tough for Zajac to contain. No. 19 will have to be all over Bjugstad and may need to use his body a little more than usual.
- Ryane Clowe has been winning a ton of battles along the boards, creating chances and has assists in two straight games and three of his last five. He's had quite a few chances to pot a goal himself, so I expect him to get his 1st as a Devil soon. Perhaps tonight?
- After a rough stretch where Micheal Ryder was invisible more often than not, a time where some fans identified him as Ghost Ryder, he has really come on and has been a catalyst for the Devils offense. He has goals in three straight games, six points in his last six games and 10 goals in his last 18. When he's hot, he's hot.
- Cory Schneider willed the Devils to victory when they played the Stars on Thursday as he earned the team a win despite only one goal of support. At some point the Devils will start to score a little more for him, but that time needs to be sooner rather than later. If both goaltenders get some support and win more than they lose, as Brodeur has done, the Devils will move up the standings in a hurry.
- I will not see tonight's game as I'll be scouting an OHL matchup between Kingston and Barrie. Devils prospect Ryan Kujawinski as well as potentially five first round picks in Aaron Ekblad, Roland McKeown, Sam Bennett, Spencer Watson and Brendan Lemieux will be squaring off so it should be an excellent game. The Devils are 4-0-0 when I miss a game to scout and 4-1-0 all together when I miss a game. I will see tomorrow's game against the Leafs.
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