Match-up - Florida Panthers (27-40-8) @ New Jersey Devils (31-28-15) Road/Home records - 13-23-3 -------------- 18-10-8 TV - NBCSN, RDS Puck drop - 7:30 p.m. ET Season series - Tied 1-1 Last 10: Panthers 3-6-1 | Devils 4-4-2 Projected starting goalies - Dan Ellis vs Martin Brodeur
Projected lines for the Panthers:
Sean Bergenheim - Nick Bjugstad - Brad Boyes Tomas Fleischmann - Vincent Trocheck - Scottie Upshall Jesse Winchester - Brandon Pirri - Quinton Howden Krys Barch - Scott Gomez - Jimmy Hayes
Dmitry Kulikov - Brian Campbell Ed Jovanovski - Colby Robak Erik Gudbranson - Dylan Olsen
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 - Jacob Josefson - Steve Bernier
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Pete Harrold - Marek Zidlicky Eric Gelinas - Adam Larsson
Game notes:
- It's hard to find a team that struggles to score as much as the Devils, but the Panthers are even worse regard if you can believe it. Florida averages less goals per game, and their leading point getter is Scottie Upshall with 35. This figures to be a low scoring contest, but I like the Devils chances - especially with Roberto Luongo out due to injury.
- As bad as Florida is 5 vs 5, they're much worse when it comes to special teams. Their power play is absolutely abysmal, and their penalty kill isn't much better. The Devils have a big advantage on both units, and that could be the difference in this game.
- The Devils haven't put together a three-game win streak since November, so it's hard to consider them as a potential playoff team. As inconsistent as they've been, they're still in the mix for a playoff spot. If they could go 6-0-2 down the stretch, there's almost a 70% chance they'll make the playoffs, according to SportsClubStats. That's unlikely, but don't put the nail in the coffin just yet.
- Adam Henrique has 16 points (11 goals, five assists) in 15 games since the Olympic break. He's one of the only reasons the Devils are anywhere near a playoff spot, and he'll need to continue to consistently produce if the Devils want to make some noise down the stretch. The same goes for Patrik Elias, who has 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) since the Olympics concluded.
- It's hard to ask more from Jaromir Jagr after all he's done this season, but the Devils really need him to step up right now. He's pointless in his last four games, which doesn't bode well for a team that relies so heavily on him to produce. Jagr does have 19 shots in that span, though, so he could be on the verge of a breakout.
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