Devils Game Preview vs. Blue Jackets: Game Notes, How to Watch, Projected Lines, & More

The New Jersey Devils traveled a little heavier to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets tonight. It’s the annual dads & mentors trip, all of which were in attendance at yesterday’s morning skate and will be at the Devils’ game tonight.

It’s the Devils’ second meeting with the Blue Jackets this season. Columbus clawed their way to a 2-1 victory over New Jersey back on Nov. 24th at the Prudential Center. Both Tyler Toffoli and Curtis Lazar made it a point to recognize that Columbus came to New Jersey and stole two points on their home ice. It’s now up to them to do the same thing at Nationwide Arena.

Yesterday, the Blue Jackets announced Patrik Laine will be sidelined for six weeks with a clavicle fracture. Columbus also remains without former Devil Damon Severson, Adam Boqvist, and captain Boone Jenner.

Let’s dive into tonight’s Devils tilt on the road against the Blue Jackets.

How to Watch

Time: 07:00 PM      Watch/Stream: MSGSN/MSG+      Listen: DEVILS HOCKEY NET

Projected Devils Lineup

Forwards

Tyler Toffoli – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt

Ondrej Palat – Nico Hischier – Timo Meier

Erik Haula– Dawson Mercer – Alexander Holtz

Curtis Lazar – Michael McLeod – Nathan Bastian

Defensemen

Jonas Siegenthaler – Simon Nemec

Kevin Bahl – John Marino

Luke Hughes – Colin Miller

Goaltenders

Akira Schmid

Vitek Vanecek

Projected Blue Jackets Lineup

Forwards

Johnny Gaudreau – Adam Fantilli – Justin Danforth

Kirill Marchenko – Dmitri Voronkov – Yegor Chinakhov

Emil Bemstrom – Cole Sillinger – Kent Johnson

Alexander Texier – Sean Kuraly – Mathieu Olivier

Defensemen

Zach Werenski – Nick Blankenburg

Ivan Provorov – David Jiricek

Jake Bean – Erik Gudbranson

Goaltenders

Daniil Tarasov

Spencer Martin

Last Game

The Devils overcame the Boston Bruins in a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night. Morgan Geekie started the scoring in the first period, cashing in on a rebound at the top of Vitek Vanecek’s crease. However, Vanecek locked it down the rest of the way with a strong defensive effort in front of him by the Devils. Dawson Mercer scored in the third period to tie the game at one. In overtime, Jesper Bratt gained the offensive zone with speed, quickly curled on his edges, and fed a streaking Jack Hughes who beat Jeremy Swayman to secure the two-point victory. Vanecek made 23 saves for the Devils. Swayman stopped 33 pucks.

Player to Watch

New Jersey’s captain , Nico Hischier, sits just two points shy of 300. Hischier’s 298 points comes in the form of 115 goals and 183 assists in 397 career games. In his career against Columbus, Hischier’s accrued three goals and 11 points in 17 games. The Devils captain had his four-game point streak snapped on Wednesday against the Bruins. He’ll be looking to get back on the board tonight in Columbus whilst helping the Devils claim two points on the road. The Devils are 7-2-0 this season when Hischier records a point.

Devils vs. Blue Jackets

According to the Devils’ PR, “The Devils and Columbus face-off for the second of four matchups this season, after Jersey’s team suffered a 2-1 loss to Columbus on Nov. 24.

Next: Dec. 27, vs CBJ, 7:00 P.M. E.T.

At Columbus, Jan. 19, 7:00 P.M. E.T.

ALL-TIME vs CBJ

Record: 19-23-1-5
Home: 11-9-1-3
Road: 8-14-0-2

Since 2000-01…

The most goals in franchise history earned in a single game vs Columbus is eight, which was earned on Apr. 6, 2023, after an 8-1 win at the Rock.

The most goals that the Devils allowed in a single game vs Columbus is six, three times, last logged on Feb. 10, 2018, after a 6-1 loss at CJ.

The most shots that Jersey earned in a single game vs Columbus is 53, which was logged on Oct. 30, 2022, in a 7-1 victory.

The most shots that the Devils surrendered against Columbus in a single game was 55, which was logged in a 4-3 shootout win on Feb. 16, 2020.

The last time the Devils shut out Columbus was on Feb. 28, 2015, in a 2-0 win at Columbus (C. Schneider, 33 saves).

The last time Columbus shut out the Devils was on Jan. 18, 2020, in a 5-0 loss at Columbus (E. Merzlikins, 41 saves).”

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Sun. Dec. 17, vs ANA, 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Tue. Dec. 19, vs PHI, 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Thu. Dec. 21, vs EDM, 7:30 P.M. E.T.
Sat. Dec. 23, vs DET, 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Wed. Dec. 27, vs CBJ, 7:00 P.M. E.T.

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