Match-up - New Jersey Devils (31-28-14) @ New York Islanders (28-35-10) Road/Home records - 13-18-6 -------------- 11-18-8 TV - MSG, MSG Plus Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Season series - Devils lead 2-1 Last 10: Devils 4-5-1 | Islanders 5-3-2 Projected starting goalies - Cory Schneider vs Anders Nilsson
Projected lines for the Islanders:
Anders Lee - Frans Nielsen - Josh Bailey John Persson - Brock Nelson - Cal Clutterbuck Matt Martin - Ryan Strome - Colin McDonald Mike Halmo - Casey Cizikas - Johan Sundstrom
Calvin de Haan - Travis Hamonic Kevin Czuczman - Thomas Hickey Matt Donavon - Matt Carkner
Projected lines for the Devils:
Tuomo Ruutu - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Adam Henrique - Patrik Elias - Damien Brunner Ryane Clowe - Dainius Zubrus - Michael Ryder Ryan Carter - Stephen Gionta - Steve Bernier
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Jon Merrill - Marek Zidlicky Eric Gelinas - Pete Harrold
Game notes:
- The Devils begin a stretch of eight consecutive games against non-playoff teams with their game against the Islanders tonight. Thanks to all of the teams around them limping down the stretch, the Devils are only four points out and due to their favorable schedule, they still have a fighting chance at a playoff spot. That said, they have to take care of business and win the majority of their games down the stretch. The Islanders are extremely beat up, but I'm sure they're well aware of where the Devils are in the standings, and would like nothing more than to all but end their playoff hopes with a win tonight. I think this game will be closer than most would expect it to be.
- With no Bryce Salvador or Anton Volchenkov, the Devils defense is as young and mobile as its been all season. Against a young Islanders team that has a lot of good skaters, I think that'll help them a lot.
- After a rough stretch after the Olympic break came to an end, Cory Schneider has won consecutive games. The Devils will need good goaltending from him if they want to have a shot at the postseason.
- Ryane Clowe has points in consecutive games and 10 in his last 14 games overall. He's not lighting up the league, but his production has been OK and he's already taken on a leadership role with the team.
- Patrik Elias and Adam Henrique continue to produce offense on a nightly basis. Elias has 17 points since the Olympic break while Henrique has 15 in that span. For a team as offensively starved as the Devils have been all season, this production has been a nice surprise.
- The Islanders have one player with over 30 points in their lineup tonight: Frans Nielsen. Their lineup is very young and inexperienced. All these young guys are playing for jobs next season, and will be looking to make an impact, so the Devils can't sleep on them.
- Mike Halmo was effective in his debut against the Devils, and Travis Hamonic is always a pain in the ass for New Jersey's forwards, so I wouldn't be surprised to see those two mix it up physically tonight.
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