Game Preview: Blue Jackets, Devils Square Off As Columbus Looks To End Four-Game Skid

On a four-game losing streak, the Columbus Blue Jackets are in New Jersey Monday night for a divisional battle against the Devils.

This is the second match-up of the season between the two teams, with the Devils spoiling Columbus' home opener in October with a 3-2 victory.

Here are five things to know before the 7:00 p.m. puck-drop:

• The Devils had won three straight games before a 5-3 loss on home ice Saturday to the Philadelphia Flyers. It was their first regulation loss at home this season. ... Jacob Markström starts for New Jersey; he's struggled this season, posting an .874 save percentage and 3.60 goals against average in 12 starts. ... Four Devils already have nine or more goals this season: Jesper Bratt and Dawson Mercer each have ten, while Nico Hischier and Timo Meier are one behind at nine a piece. 
   
• The Blue Jackets top defensive pairing are on the ice a lot: Werenski is second in the NHL at 26:31 per night, while Ivan Provorov checks in at fifth with 25:21 per night. Columbus will continue to rely on their top blueliners against a New Jersey team with plenty of top-six firepower. 
   
• After a miserable opening month on the penalty kill, the Blue Jackets were dramatically better in November. They went 25-for-29 on the PK (86.2%), and scored a short-handed goal in Friday's overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
   
• Elvis Merzlikins is projected to get the start. He's allowed four or more goals in each of his last three starts and three or more in his last six. For the season, Merzlikins is 4-5-0 with a 3.55 goals against average and .894 save percentage.
   
• While Kirill Marchenko and Boone Jenner are skating again, both will remain out of the lineup in this one. No lineup changes are expected as Monday morning's skate saw the same lines and defensive pairings. Here are the complete projections: