Columbus Blue Jackets (70 pts) vs. New Jersey Devils (78 pts) Game Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils play for the third and final time this season. Each team has won a game, so this will be the rubber match.
New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) makes a save against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Prudential Center. Ed Mulholland-Imagn ImagesEvery game the Blue Jackets play from here until they either make the playoffs or are eliminated will be the "biggest game of the season."
It's no secret; they haven't played well of late, and if they want a chance to at least compete for a playoff spot, they need to get out of the funk that they're currently in. That means now, not later.
The Devils have built an eight-point lead on the Jackets for third place in the Metro, but they haven't exactly been lighting it up earlier. If the CBJ want any chance, they have to invoke the "six goals at home Jackets" instead of the back-to-back shutouts at home Jackets.
Devils Stats
- Power Play – 27.5% - 4th in NHL
- Penalty Kill – 82.6% - 3rd in NHL
- Goals For - 203 – 12th – 2.99 GPG – 13th
- Goals Against – 176 – 5th – 2.59 GPG – 4th
Series History vs. The Devils
- Columbus is 17-10-0 at home and 29-20-4 in 53 all-time games against the Devils.
- Columbus has scored a power play goal in five of the last six home games in the series (5-of-18; 27.8 pct.).
- CBJ have killed off 15-of-17 New Jersey power play attempts over the last six meetings (88.2 pct.).
Who To Watch For The Devils
- Jesper Bratt leads the Devils with 60 assists and 79 points.
- Nico Hischier leads the team with 28 goals.
- Jacob Markstrom is 22-13-5 with a SV% of .902.
- Jake Allen is 11-13-1 with a .910 SV%.
CBJ Player Notes vs. Devils
- Boone Jenner has 20 points in 35 games against the Devils.
- Zach Werenski has 9 points in 23 games.
- Ivan Provorov has 21 points in 37 career games against New Jersey.
Injuries
- Erik Gudbranson (upper body) is on Injured Reserve on Oct. 16 (63 Games)
- Sean Monahan (upper body) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Jan. 7 (25 Games)
- Kevin Labanc (shoulder) is on Injured Reserve as of Feb. 21 and out for the season (10 Games)
- Cole Sillinger is day-to-day with an upper body injury (7 Games)
- Jake Christiansen (upper body) is out (1 Game)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 283
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FanDuel Sports Network. Steve Mears will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
* Game will be simulcast on the following stations (markets): CW 53 (Columbus), WKRC 12.2 CW (Cincinnati), WUAB 43.1 CW (Cleveland), WKEF 22.3 MyTV (Dayton), WQCW 30.1 CW (Charleston, WV/Huntington, WV/Portsmouth, OH), WKYT 27.2 CW (Lexington, KY), WAVE 3.2 Bounce (Louisville, KY).
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