Match-up - Detroit Red Wings (28-20-12) @ New Jersey Devils (26-23-13) Road/Home records - 17-9-4 -------------- 14-8-7 TV - MSG, FS-Detroit Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Season series - Detroit leads 1-0 Last 10: Red Wings 6-2-2 | Devils 4-4-2 Projected starting goalies - Jimmy Howard vs Martin Brodeur
Projected lines for the Red Wings:
Johan Franzen - Joakim Andersson - Gustav Nyquist Tomas Tatar - Riley Sheahan - Tomas Jurco Justin Abdelkader - Darren Helm - Daniel Alfredsson Drew Miller - Luke Glendening - Todd Bertuzzi
Niklas Kronwall - Jonathan Ericsson Kyle Quincey - Danny DeKeyser Brendan Smith - Brian Lashoff
Projected lines for the Devils:
Dainius Zubrus - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Adam Henrique - Patrik Elias - Damien Brunner Ryane Clowe - Andrei Loktionov - Michael Ryder Ryan Carter - Stephen Gionta - Steve Bernier
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Anton Volchenkov/Bryce Salvador - Marek Zidlicky Eric Gelinas - Jon Merrill
Game notes:
- It only takes a quick peak at the standings to see how pivotal this game is for both teams. The Detroit Red Wings enter tonight's contest three points ahead of the New Jersey Devils for the final wild card spot. A regulation loss would put the Devils five points back of a wild card spot while, depending on other results, a win could get the Devils within a point of the final playoff spot. Suffice to say, there's a lot on the line here.
- The Red Wings are about as battered as they could possibly be right now. They're missing five regulars - including but not limited to Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk - and as a result Joakim Andersson finds himself centering the top line. That said, even with all the injuries the Wings still have plenty of young talent on the team, and a lot of players who are fighting for a spot on the team once some injured players return. This won't be an easy game.
- Martin Brodeur will get the nod in what could be his final appearance as a Devil. It sounds like Lou Lamoriello would like to retain him but Brodeur appears set on going elsewhere for more playing time, should an opportunity present itself. Bring your cameras and take lots of pictures because it could be the last time Brodeur ever suits up for New Jersey.
- Johan Franzen is red hot coming into this game as he has five points (three goals, two assists) in two contests since the Olympics ended. He's always been a streaky player and when he's hot, he's hot. The Devils best stick close to him, especially around the net.
- Special teams work has factored in, but Adam Henrique and Patrik Elias both have six points in three games since being placed on a line together. Pete DeBoer has really liked what he's seen from that duo and as long as they continue producing they'll remain together.
- Michael Ryder hasn't scored in 16 games and he has just four assists over that span. The Devils need something, anything, from him if they want to make a legitimate push for a playoff spot. He's a streaky scorer and there will always be slumps, but he needs to do a better job at shortening the lengths. He can't go 20% of the season consecutively without scoring a goal.
- Eric Gelinas has a goal and four points in three games since being recalled. The offensive production is excellent, but his defensive play hasn't been great. Against a team as beaten up as the Wings, he should get a lot of ice time against highly mediocre competition. No. 22 needs to take advantage of that.
**
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com