Match-up - Washington Capitals (34-29-13) @ New Jersey Devils (32-28-15) Road/Home records - 14-16-7 -------------- 19-10-8 TV - NBCSN, CSN-DC+ Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Season series - Devils lead 2-1 Last 10: Capitals 4-3-3 | Devils 3-4-3 Projected starting goalies - Jaroslav Halak vs Cory Schneider
Projected lines for the Capitals:
Mikhail Grabovski - Nicklas Backstrom - Alex Ovechkin Marcus Johansson - Jay Beagle - Troy Brouwer Jason Chimera - Eric Fehr - Joel Ward Dustin Penner - Evgeni Kuznetsov - Tom Wilson
Karl Alzner - John Carlson Dmitry Orlov - Mike Green Connor Carrick - John Erskine
Projected lines for the Devils:
Tuomo Ruutu - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Adam Henrique - Patrik Elias - Damien Brunner Dainius Zubrus - Jacob Josefson - Michael Ryder Ryan Carter - Tim Sestito - Steve Bernier
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Anton Volchenkov/Pete Harrold - Marek Zidlicky Eric Gelinas - Adam Larsson
Notes:
- The Devils playoff push is nearing what could be an abrupt halt. New Jersey currently sits five points back of the Blue Jackets for the final playoff spot, and with only six games remaining, they are simply running out of time. Realistically the Devils would need to go 6-0-0 down the stretch to get into the playoffs, and considering they haven't won three straight since November, it's hard to see that happening. Any sort of loss tonight would all but officially end their chances of making the post-season.
- A Devils win coupled with a Blue Jackets loss to the Blackhawks would get the Devils within three points of a spot, which is certainly more manageable. The Devils would still have a lot of work to do, but they'd have a pulse.
- Washington is a poor 5 vs 5 team and have been all season, but due to Ovechkin's ridiculous goal output and their excellent power play, they have stayed afloat in a poor Eastern Conference. The Devils will need to keep things 5 vs 5 tonight if they want to have a chance, because the Capitals PP is not something to mess around with.
- Jacob Josefson has struggled to contribute in any facet of the game for much of the season, but he finally appears to be turning it around. After recording just one point in his first 23 games, Josefson has points in two of the last three and scored a shootout goal in the game he didn't record a point. He may never pan out the way the Devils initially hoped, but if he can contribute in a bottom-6 role - preferable on the 3rd line - that would be a big help.
- After a rough string of starts, Cory Schneider finally seems to be getting back on track. He's led the Devils to a point in four straight starts and and was perfect in relief of Martin Brodeur in New Jersey's win over Florida. It may be all for not now, but it'd be nice to see Schneider finish this campaign off strong. After all, he's the undisputed No. 1 goaltender next season.
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