Match-up - San Jose Sharks (38-17-6) @ New Jersey Devils (26-22-13) Road/Home records - 16-13-3 -------------- 14-7-7 TV - MSG, CSN-CA Puck drop - 3:00 p.m. ET Season series - Sharks lead 1-0 Last 10: Sharks 5-5-0 | Devils 5-3-2 Projected starting goalies - Alex Stalock vs Cory Schneider
Projected lines for the Sharks:
Joe Pavelski - Joe Thornton - Brent Burns Patrick Marleau - Logan Couture - Marty Havlat Raffi Torres - Andrew Desjardins - Tyler Kennedy Matt Nieto - Adam Burish - Tommy Wingels
Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Justin Braun Matt Irwin - Dan Boyle Scott Hannan - Jason Demers
Projected lines for the Devils:
Dainius Zubrus - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Adam Henrique - Patrik Elias - Steve Bernier Ryane Clowe - Andrei Loktionov - Michael Ryder Ryan Carter - Stephen Gionta - Jacob Josefson
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Anton Volchenkov - Marek Zidlicky Eric Gelinas - Jon Merrill
Game notes:
- The Sharks are a very balanced team loaded with high end talent and they've dominated at 5 vs 5 this season, so if the Devils are to win this game they'll likely need some help from special teams. Luckily for New Jersey, they have the top penalty killing unit in the league and a red hot power play unit that's converted five times in two games since the Olympic break came to a close. Special teams will be key in this one.
- San Jose is coming off a loss to the Buffalo Sabres, which they won't be happy about, and they're rested, so they're going to be a handful for the Devils. New Jersey needs to get out to a quick start because if they fall behind early it'll be tough to catch up as the game goes on and they start to tire and wear down.
- The Pavelski line will likely draw the most attention from Pete DeBoer and the Devils, but the Marleau line has been playing some excellent hockey of late, too. New Jersey will need to be careful when they're on the ice.
- Joe Thornton has eight goals and 50 assists this season. I know he's a pass first guy but that's ludicrous. I felt it was necessary to put this in here.
- Cory Schneider enters this afternoon's contest having allowed two goals or less in 14 of his last 15 starts. The Devils will need another strong effort from him if they wish to take down one of the Western Conference's powerhouse teams.
- Adam Henrique has recorded back-to-back two point games - three goals, one assist total - since being moved on a line with Patrik Elias. He's now just a pair of points away from 100 in his career. Can he make it three straight multi-point efforts?
- Since being recalled Eric Gelinas has one goal - a PP blast - and two assists, all of which came on the power play. He's also been on the ice for four of the five power play goals the Devils have scored in two games since the break and is a big reason their unit is clicking at a 21% rate on the season. He leads the league in points per 60 minutes of 5 vs 4 from defenseman by over a point, which is pretty remarkable for a rookie.
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