New Jersey has an all-time record of 37-37-9-5 versus Edmonton.
The New Jersey Devils will host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night at Prudential Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Colin Miller was missing from the team's morning skate due to his wife giving birth to the couple's first child.
"They're expecting a family today, so he won't be here," Ruff said.
Devils vs. Oilers - Prudential Center
The Devils have a 0-1-0 record versus the Oilers this season. Edmonton defeated New Jersey on Dec. 10 by a final score of 4-1. Jesper Bratt scored his team's lone goal, while Derek Ryan, Evan Bouchard, Connor McDavid, and Evander Kane found the back of the net for the Oilers.
Tonight's opponent is sixth in the Pacific Division (13-15-1). They are coming off a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders. Leon Draisaitl scored his team's lone goal, and netminder Stuart Skinner made 18 saves. Edmonton surrendered two power-play goals and one shorthanded. The Oilers are 7-3-0 in their last ten games but have lost their previous three.
- New Jersey's injury list includes Dougie Hamilton (out indefinitely) and Tomas Nosek (out indefinitely).
- Edmonton's injury list includes Dylan Holloway (upper body).
- McDavid leads the team with 25 career points against New Jersey, and Kane has appeared in a team-leading 34 career games against the Devils.
- Per the media notes, New Jersey defensemen have combined for seven power-play goals this season, which is tied with Edmonton for first in the NHL.
- The McLeod brothers, Michael and Ryan, will face off for the second time this season and the fifth time in their careers. New Jersey won three of those games.
- Per the Oilers website, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, McDavid, and Zach Hyman will play together on Thursday night. They have been one of the NHL's best lines, with a 72.2 percent goal share in 112:53 of ice time together this season, as per Natural Stat Trick.
- Bratt enters tonight's game with at least a point in his last five games versus Edmonton dating back to Dec. 31, 2021.
- Akira Schmid was in the starter's net for his team's morning skate. If he plays versus the Oilers, it will be his 13th start. The netminder's career-high for starts in a single season is 14.
- As Devils reporter Sam Kasan pointed out, McLeod has won 28 of his last 30 faceoffs (93.3 percent).
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Ondrej Palat - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Erik Haula - Jack Hughes - Tyler Toffoli
Curtis Lazar - Michael McLeod - Nathan Bastian
Timo Meier - Dawson Mercer - Alexander Holtz
Jonas Siegenthaler - Simon Nemec
Kevin Bahl - John Marino
Brendan Smith - Luke Hughes
Akira Schmid/Vitek Vanecek
Edmonton:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Connor McDavid - Zach Hyman
Evander Kane - Leon Draisaitl - Warren Foegele
Mattias Janmark - Ryan McLeod - Sam Gagner
Adam Erne - James Hamblin - Derek Ryan
Darnel Nurse - Cody Ceci
Mattias Ekholm - Evan Bouchard
Brett Kulak - Vincent Desharnais
Calvin Pickard/Stuart Skinner
Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Hulu. Steve Levy and Ray Ferraro will be on the call. Fans can also listen on the Devils Hockey Network with Matt Loughlin on play-by-play.