Apr 6, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) skates with the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Gavin Bayreuther (15) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Gameday Preview: Devils vs. Blue Jackets
The New Jersey Devils will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday afternoon at Prudential Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 P.M. The Devils did not hold a morning skate, and head coach Lindy Ruff met with the media at 1:00 P.M.
On Wednesday night, the Devils were handed a 4-0 loss, marking the first time they had been shut out since April 24, 2022. It was one of their worst losses of the season and prompted the players to have an honest and hard conversation about the current state of their club.
"I think a lot of honest conversations have been had here in the last few hours," Erik Haula said after Thursday's practice. "It's important that we take a good look at our team and where we're at as a team, as individuals and are honest with each other with where we're at today. It was a good day for us. Work hard out there in practice and not accept how things are going right now."
Devils vs. Blue Jackets - Prudential Center
Last season, the Devils earned a 3-0-0 record versus the Blue Jackets. Jack Hughes has 10 points in eight games versus Columbus, including four points (two goals, two assists) in the two club's last meeting.
The Blue Jackets are eighth in the Metropolitan Divison (5-11-4). They are coming off a 7-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Cole Sillinger, Boone Jenner, and Kirill Marchenko all tallied two points. Former Devils defenseman Damon Severson did not travel with Columbus as he suffered an oblique injury on Nov. 19.
- New Jersey's injury report includes Nico Hischier (upper body), Timo Meier (lower body), and Tomas Nosek (upper body).
- Columbus' injury report includes Damon Severson (oblique), Alexandre Texier (illness), and Jack Roslovic (fractured ankle).
- Mark Recchi returns to Prudential Center as part of the Blue Jackets' coaching staff. He was New Jersey's assistant coach from 2020-21 to 2021-22. The Blue Jackets hired him on Sept. 25.
- Dawson Mercer has played 181 consecutive games since the start of his NHL career. It currently ranks 15th in the NHL for all active skaters as of Nov. 23.
- This is the first game of the team's fourth back-to-back of the season. The Devils are 3-0-0 in the first game.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Erik Haula - Jack Hughes - Curtis Lazar
Tyler Toffoli - Dawson Mercer - Jesper Bratt
Ondrej Palat - Michael McLeod - Alexander Holtz
Max Willman - Nathan Bastian
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Jonas Siegenthaler - Dougie Hamilton
Kevin Bahl - John Marino
Luke Hughes - Colin Miller
Vitek Vanecek/Akira Schmid
**The above lineup was used in the team's last game versus Detroit. Head coach Lindy Ruff did not confirm if he would go with an 11 and seven lineup versus the Blue Jackets.
Columbus:
Johnny Gaudreau -- Boone Jenner -- Kirill Marchenko
Dmitri Voronkov -- Adam Fantilli -- Patrik Laine
Yegor Chinakhov -- Cole Sillinger -- Mathieu Olivier
Alexandre Texier -- Sean Kuraly -- Justin Danforth
Zach Werenski -- Adam Boqvist
Ivan Provorov -- David Jiricek
Jake Bean -- Erik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins
Watch & Listen: Today'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.
