Columbus Blue Jackets (17–10–1) vs. New Jersey Devils (16–7–4)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017, 7 p.m. (PRUDENTIAL CENTER)
For the second time this week, the Jackets will face the red hot New Jersey Devils, this time in the Garden State. The Devils out-skated and out-worked the Jackets in the last matchup, a game they won 4-1 at Nationwide Arena.
The Devils are led by superstar forward Taylor Hall, acquired in a one-for-one trade prior to last season for defenseman Adam Larsson. The former first overall pick has 29 points in 27 games for New Jersey – nine more than the next highest scorer on his team. That runner-up just so happens to be his linemate, the 18-year-old Nico Hischier. The two former first overall picks have hit it off, and are joined by 19-year-old Jesper Bratt, who has broken out for 19 points over the first 27 games of his career.
Cory Schneider's numbers haven't been Vezina-worthy this year, but he's one of the game's top goaltenders, as he showed on Tuesday when he stopped 40 of 41 CBJ shots.
You Oughta Know: Brian Gibbons
You may already know Brian Gibbons, who played 25 games for the 2014-15 Blue Jackets. He signed in Columbus after skating on Sidney Crosby's line in the 2014 playoffs for the Penguins – so Columbus got an up-close look – but the diminutive forward never quite stuck in Columbus, registering just five points.
It's been a completely different story in New Jersey. He hadn't played in the NHL since his time in Columbus – it's been three years – but he hit the ground running for New Jersey, settling in on the third line left wing. He actually leads New Jersey with 11 goals and has two shorthanded goals – including this one that came 5-on-3.
Fast Facts
- Gibbons isn't the only former Jacket on the New Jersey's roster. Defensemen John Moore and Dalton Prout (expected to be a healthy scratch) are also on the Metro-leading Devils.
- The Devils recently acquired defenseman Sami Vatanen from the Ducks (giving up forwards Adam Henrique and Joseph Blandisi), and he's still looking for his first point with the club.
- New Jersey is currently leading the division, but hasn't made the playoffs since 2011-12, when they fell in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Los Angeles Kings.
Previous Matchups
THIS YEAR: Devils won the first matchup, and lead the series 1-0-0.
ALL TIME SERIES: Blue Jackets lead 15-13-1-1
Keys to the Game
ONE: Screen Schneider and get rebounds. Tortorella said that the Blue Jackets got zero second-chance shots on Tuesday, despite getting 41 shots on net. That needs to change – and when you're playing a goalie as good as Schneider, you can't rely on clean goals. Get some greasy ones.
TWO: Do whatever the power play equivalent is of a rain dance. At this point, Columbus will take voodoo or a kickstarter or some tarot cards. Whatever works! They're mired in a 2-for-42 stretch with the man advantage. Will that turn around tonight?
THREE: Don't get into a track meet. The Devils have a ton of speed – particularly on the top line – and the Jackets can't afford to chase the puck all night. Limiting giveaways and controlling possession can go a long way.
Team Projected Lineup
# | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 | Taylor Hall | 27 GP, 9-20-29 | 13 | Nico Hishier | 27 GP, 5-15-20 | 63 | Jesper Bratt | 27 GP, 9-10-19 |
90 | Marcus Johanssen | 13 GP, 3-3-6 | 19 | Travis Zajac | 10 GP, 1-0-1 | 18 | Drew Stafford | 24 GP, 5-3-8 |
39 | Brian Gibbons | 27 GP, 11-4-15 | 40 | Blake Coleman | 27 GP, 2-2-4 | 23 | Stefan Noesen | 20 GP, 2-2-4 |
44 | Miles Wood | 26 GP, 6-5-11 | 11 | Brian Boyle | 17 GP, 4-2-6 | 10 | Jimmy Hayes | 18 GP, 3-3-6 |
# | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Andy Greene | 26 GP, 2-3-5 | 45 | Sami Vatanen | 18 GP, 1-3-4 |
2 | John Moore | 27 GP, 3-5-8 | 28 | Damon Severson | 26 GP, 3-5-8 |
8 | Will Butcher | 27 GP, 2-16-18 | 16 | Steve Santini | 23 GP, 1-5-6 |
# | Player | GS | W-L-OL | GAA | SV% | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
35 | Cory Schneider | 20 | 11-5-3 | 2.60 | .923 | 1 |
1 | Keith Kincaid | 7 | 5-2-1 | 3.29 | .896 | 0 |