New Jersey has an all-time record of 19-23-1-5 against Columbus.
The New Jersey Devils will play the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second time this season on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.
The club held an optional morning skate with the following participants: Tyler Toffoli, Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Jonas Siegenthaler, Brendan Smith, Nico Hischier, Simon Nemec, Jesper Bratt, Michael McLeod, Kevin Bahl, Nate Bastian, Curtis Lazar, Chris Tierney, Akira Schmid, and Curtis Lazar.
Tonight will be the first game of the team's dad/mentors' trip. The special guests attended the Devils practice on Friday afternoon before traveling to Ohio. According to an Instagram Story on the team's official Instagram page, they hosted a dinner last night in Columbus for everyone.
Devils @ Blue Jackets - Nationwide Arena
This season, the Devils are 0-1-0 versus the Blue Jackets. In their first meeting, tonight's opponent earned a 2-1 victory, with Elvis Merzlikins making 37 saves. Boone Jenner and Eric Robinson scored for Columbus, while Alexander Holtz scored for New Jersey.
The Blue Jackets are eighth in the Metropolitan Division (10-16-5). They are coming off a 6-5 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was a big night for Kent Johnson, who scored two goals, including the game-winning goal. The 21-year-old added an assist for the first three-point night of his career.
- New Jersey's injury list includes Dougie Hamilton (out indefinitely) and Tomas Nosek (out indefinitely).
- Columbus' injury list includes Jack Roslovic (fractured ankle), Damon Severson (oblique), Adam Boqvist (shoulder strain), Boone Jenner (fractured jaw), and Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture).
- The Blue Jackets improved to 6-5-1 in the last 12 games following their win at Toronto on Thursday. The club is also 4-2-1 in its previous seven home games.
- Per the media notes, Columbus has been credited with 387 blocked shots over the past 20 games dating back to Nov. 6. The club leads the NHL in blocked shots (596) and ranks third in blocked shots-per-60 minutes (19.02).
- The Blue Jackets have scored the first goal of the game in nine of their last 12 games and 12 of the past 17. On the other side of the ice, the Devils have surrendered the game's opening goal 20 times this season.
- The Devils have not converted on the power play in four consecutive games (0/11). It is the team's longest stretch without converting on the man advantage this season.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Tyler Toffoli - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt
Ondrej Palat - Nico Hischier - Timo Meier
Erik Haula - Dawson Mercer -Alexander Holtz
Curtis Lazar - Michael McLeod - Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler - Simon Nemec
Kevin Bahl - John Marino
Luke Hughes -Colin Miller
Akira Schmid/Vitek Vanecek
Columbus:
(Per Jason Newland)
Johnny Gaudreau - Adam Fantilli - Justin Danforth
Kirill Marchenko - Dmitri Voronkov - Yegor Chinakhov
Emil Bemstrom - Cole Sillinger - Kent Johnson
Alexandre Texier - Sean Kuraly- Mathieu Olivier
Zach Werenski - Nick Blankenburg
Ivan Provorov - David Jiricek
Andrew Peeke - Erik Gudbranson
Daniil Tarasov
Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcast on MSGSN. Bill Spaulding will handle the MSGSN play-by-play alongside analyst Ken Daneyko and host Erika Wachter. Fans can also listen on the Devils Hockey Network with Matt Loughlin on play-by-play.