Match-up - New York Rangers (38-29-4) @ New Jersey Devils (30-27-13) Road/Home records - 22-13-0 -------------- 17-9-7 TV - MSG, MSG Plus Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Season series - Devils lead 3-1 Last 10: Rangers 5-4-1 | Devils 5-5-0 Projected starting goalies - Henrik Lundqvist vs Martin Brodeur
Projected lines for the Rangers:
Chris Kreider - Derek Stepan - Rick Nash Mats Zuccarello - Derick Brassard - Martin St. Louis Carl Hagelin - Brad Richards - Benoit Pouliot Brian Boyle - Dominic Moore - Dan Carcillo
Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi Anton Stralman - Marc Staal John Moore - Kevin Klein
Projected lines for the Devils:
Tuomo Ruutu - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Adam Henrique - Patrik Elias - Michael Ryder Ryane Clowe - Jacob Josefson - Dainius Zubrus Ryan Carter - Stephen Gionta - Steve Bernier
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Bryce Salvador - Anton Volchenkov Jon Merrill - Marek Zidlicky
Game notes:
- The Rangers and Devils are pretty even when it comes to 5 vs 5 play, so I think tonight's game will come down to two things: goaltending and special teams. If one goaltender is decisively better, his team will win; otherwise, it'll likely come down to who has more success on the power play.
- Tuomo Ruutu hasn't recorded too many points, but since he was acquired Zajac and Jagr seem to really be taking off offensively. Zajac has nine points in his last eight games while Jagr has 11 over his last 11.
- Michael Ryder snapped a 23-game goalless drought against Minnesota on Thursday. He's been a streaky player his entire career so there's a pretty good chance he goes on a nice run in terms of production down the stretch. The Devils need him to.
- Adam Henrique and Patrik Elias were reunited on a line against Zach Parise and the Wild and Pete DeBoer's decision really paid off. Elias had three assists giving him 15 points since the Olympic break, while Henrique's two assists give him a total of 13 points in that span.
- After a slow start to the season, Derek Stepan has really picked it up of late tallying 13 points in his last 12 games. He's starting to emerge into the player everyone thought he could be.
- New Jersey is 9-2-2 at the Prudential Center in their last 13 games and have been increasingly tough to beat at home as the season has gone on. They'll need that trend to continue.
- Depending what happens with teams around New Jersey, they could be three points out of a playoff spot with a win tonight. If things really go their way they could also get within five points of the Maple Leafs and Rangers having games in hand over both of them. It's a big night.
- I won't see this game as I'll be scouting Game 2 between the Sudbury Wolves and Barrie Colts. New Jersey's only lost one game all season when I've scouted OHL hockey, so I like their odds tonight.
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Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com