Gameday Preview: Devils @ Bruins
New Jersey has an all-time record of 59-88-19-10 versus Boston.
Dec 13, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Nathan Bastian (14) and center Curtis Lazar (42) battle for a loose puck in front of Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) and defenseman Hampus Lindholm (27) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports - Gameday Preview: Devils @ BruinsThe New Jersey Devils will wrap up their eighth back-to-back set on Saturday night. They will face the Boston Bruins at TD Garden for their second matchup of the season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.
Curtis Lazar, who appeared in 87 games for the Bruins, is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He was unable to play Friday night versus the Ottawa Senators. Head coach Lindy Ruff is scheduled to meet with attending media members at 5:00 P.M. and could provide an update at that time.
Devils @ Bruins - TD Garden
The Devils earned a 1-0-0 record versus the Bruins this season after celebrating a 2-1 overtime victory at Prudential Center on Dec. 13. Dawson Mercer and Jack Hughes scored for New Jersey. Goaltender Vitek Vanecek earned his first assist of the 2023-24 season.
Tonight's opponent is first in the Atlantic Division (20-7-6). They are coming off a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Charlie Coyle scored two goals, while Brad Marchand and Jake Debrusk collected two points each. Ex-Devil Pavel Zacha has faced his former team three times and has collected four points (three goals, one assist).
- New Jersey's injury list includes Dougie Hamilton (out indefinitely), Tomas Nosek (out indefinitely), and Curtis Lazar (lower body, day-to-day).
- Boston's injury list includes Derek Forbort (lower body).
- Last night, the Devils earned their 11th road win this season. The New York Rangers (12) and Los Angeles Kings (13) are the only teams with more road wins in 2023-24.
- Boston ranks third in the NHL in penalty killing at 86.5 percent (109/126). The Devils scored two power-play goals Friday night versus the Senators.
- Per the media notes, the Bruins will finish the 2023 calendar year with the top rankings in wins (57), points (121), points percentage (.766), goals against by game (2.29), and penalty kill (88.1).
- Georgii Merkulov is expected to make his NHL debut tonight. Per the Bruins website, Boston signed him as a free agent out of Ohio State in April 2022, and was recalled by the Bruins for the first time on Friday morning.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Tyler Toffoli - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt
Erik Haula - Nico Hischier - Ondrej Palat
Timo Meier - Michael McLeod - Dawson Mercer
Alexander Holtz -Chris Tierney - Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler - Simon Nemec
Luke Hughes - John Marino
Kevin Bahl - Brendan Smith
Vitek Vanecek/Nico Daws
Boston:
Pavel Zacha - Morgan Geekie - David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand - Charlie Coyle - Jake DeBrusk
James van Riemsdyk - Georgii Merkulov - Trent Frederic
Danton Heinen - John Beecher - Jakub Lauko
Mason Lohrei - Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Kevin Shattenkirk
Linus Ullmark/Jeremy Swayman
Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcast on MSGSN. Bill Spaulding will handle 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.