Match-up - New Jersey Devils (23-21-11) @ Nashville Predators (24-23-8) Road/Home records - 11-14-5 -------------- 13-11-4 TV - MSG Plus, FS-TN Puck drop - 8:00 p.m. ET Season series - Devils lead 1-0 Last 10: Devils 5-3-2 / Predators 5-3-2 Projected starting goalies - Cory Schneider vs Carter Hutton
Projected lines for the Predators:
Eric Nystrom - Mike Fisher - Patric Hornqvist Nick Spaling - David Legwand - Craig Smith Gabriel Bourque - Colin Wilson - Taylor Beck Richard Clune - Paul Gausted - Colton Sissions
Roman Josi - Shea Weber Michael Del Zotto - Seth Jones Mattias Ekholm - Ryan Ellis
Projected lines for the Devils:
** Questionable with injury
Dainius Zubrus** - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Patrik Elias - Stephen Gionta - Damien Brunner Ryan Clowe - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder Ryan Carter - Jacob Josefson/Andrei Loktionov - Steve Bernier
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Jon Merrill - Marek Zidlicky Bryce Salvador - Anton Volchenkov
Injuries: Pete Harrold.
Game notes:
- Since Pekka Rinne was injured early in the season, the Predators have gotten less than mediocre goaltending from Carter Hutton, Marek Mazanec, recently acquired Devan Dubnyk and the guy at the corner store. As a result, they've allowed a lot of goals and have lost a lot of games because their offense isn't good enough to make up for the lack of goaltending. Their 5 vs 5 play as a whole has been poor and the Devils should be able to take advantage of that.
- New Jersey's power play enters tonight's game red hot as they've scored at a 40% clip over their last eight games. Meanwhile the Predators' penalty kill has been horrible this year, so Nashville best stay disciplined and try and keep things 5 vs 5. If this turns into a special teams battle, the game will likely have a similar result as the last time these two teams met, when the Devils won 5-0.
- The Predators don't have much in terms of skilled forwards, but they have a very young, mobile and talented defense core that can help generate offense from the backend. Look for them to jump in the play to help create scoring chances when the opportunities arise. The Devils' forwards better back check hard all game long, as if they get caught behind the play and a defenseman pinches it will lead to an odd man rush.
- Anton Volchenkov and Bryce Salvador were particularly bad last night and were on the ice for both Dallas goals, so I'd imagine they'll see less ice time tonight. At least during 5 vs 5 play.
- Nothing will be official until later this afternoon, but I'm expecting Cory Schneider to get the nod in goal again tonight. He's played exceptional of late and wasn't tested too much last night (faced just 16 shots) so he shouldn't be too worn out. Ideally you split back-to-back scenarios between the two goaltenders but Schneider has played too well of late to take him out (see below).
- Jaromir Jagr has three multi-point games in his last four outings and has 10 points over his last eight games...Travis Zajac has six points in his last five games...Patrik Elias has six points over his last five including three multi-point efforts.
**
- I recently posted my midseason rankings for the top-30 first-year NHL draft eligible players from the OHL. You can view that here.
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