Match-up - Minnesota Wild (36-23-10) @ New Jersey Devils (29-27-13) Road/Home records - 13-16-5 -------------- 16-9-7 TV - FS-N+, MSG Plus Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Season series - Wild lead 1-0 Last 10: Wild 5-3-2 | Devils 5-5-0 Projected starting goalies - Ilya Bryzgalov vs Cory Schneider
Projected lines for the Wild:
Zach Parise - Mikael Granlund - Jason Pominville Matt Moulson - Mikko Koivu - Justin Fontaine Dany Heatley - Charlie Coyle - Nino Niederreiter Matt Cooke - Kyle Brodziak - Cody McCormick
Ryan Suter - Jared Spurgeon Marco Scandella - Jonas Brodin Clayton Stoner - Natt Prosser
Projected lines for the Devils:
Tuomo Ruutu - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Adam Henrique - Patrik Elias - Michael Ryder Ryane Clowe - Jacob Josefson - Dainius Zubrus Tim Sestito - Stephen Gionta -
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Bryce Salvador - Anton Volchenkov Jon Merrill - Marek Zidlicky Eric Gelinas
Game notes:
- Cory Schneider will start tonight in what could be the last big game of the season for the Devils. The playoffs are unlikely now, but they'll be essentially impossible to reach if New Jersey doesn't win this game. Considering the team can't really score, Schneider can't afford to allow more than a couple goals or the Devils season will be over. SportsClubStats gives the Devils a good chance of making the playoffs if they go 9-2-2 down the stretch, so they better get to work if they're going to have any chance.
- Travis Zajac enters tonight red hot having recorded eight points in his last seven contests. The Devils haven't been generating much offense beside what he and Jaromir Jagr have been able to do, so they might need to carry the load once again.
- Eric Gelinas had an assists and six shots on goal in his return to the lineup after sitting three consecutive games. As a team starving for offense, the Devils will need him to consistently produce if they want to string together some wins down the stretch.
- Well, there's no getting around it. Zach Parise is returning to the Prudential Center tonight with a team not named New Jersey, and he's probably going to hear it from fans as a result. Wouldn't it be something if he had a big game and put the final nail in the Devils season?
- Mikael Granlund continues to make big strides towards becoming a star in this league. After an excellent tournament with Finland in the Olympics, he picked up where he left off recording nine points in 10 games since. He's definitely a guy to keep your eye on tonight and going forward. He's going to be a star for a long time.
- I'll be scouting Game 1 of the series between the Barrie Colts and Sudbury Wolves so I won't see the game. The Devils have only lost once all season when I've missed a game to scout so I like their chances tonight. Be sure to follow me on Twitter if you want updates on Aaron Ekblad, Brendan Lemieux, et all.
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Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com