New Jersey has an all-time record of 24-17-2-4 against San Jose.
The New Jersey Devils will host the San Jose Sharks on Friday night at Prudential Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. The Devils did not hold a morning skate, and head coach Lindy Ruff will meet with the media at 5:00 P.M.
Tonight marks the return of several former Devils players, including Mackenzie Blackwood, Fabian Zetterlund, and Nikita Okhotiuk. Sharks head coach David Quinn confirmed that Kaapo Kahkonen will start in net, meaning Blackwood will take the game from the bench.
When asked during his media availability what kind of reaction he is expecting from the crowd, Zetterlund said, "Probably going to boo me. I don't know. Hopefully, they like me. Hopefully, they don't have too many bad words to say about me. But if I score, something's probably going to happen."
According to the NHL media site, Devils' defenseman Dougie Hamilton has been placed on IR, and Simon Nemec has been called up from the Utica Comets. The team did not make any official announcements at the time of publication.
Devils vs. Sharks - Prudential Center
Last season, the Devils had a 2-0-0 record versus the Sharks. Per the media notes, it was the first time since the 1996-97 season that New Jersey swept San Jose in a season series. Jesper Bratt has five points (two goals, three assists) in nine games versus tonight's opponent.
The Sharks are eighth in the Pacific Division (5-16-2). They are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins. Blackwood made 34 saves on 37 shots. During his media availability on Friday, the netminder revealed that about a month ago, he was asked whether or not he wanted to play versus New Jersey.
"I said I don't care. I kind of forgot about it, and then it snuck up on the schedule," he said. "Doesn't really matter to me that much. A game is a game, right? I just treat it as another one on the schedule."
- New Jersey's injury report includes Timo Meier (lower body), Tomas Nosek (upper body), Erik Haula (lower body), and Dougie Hamilton (upper body).
- San Jose's injury report includes Filip Zadina (upper body), Jan Rutta (undisclosed), and Oskar Lindblom (lower body).
- Meier's availability is questionable for tonight's game as he is still out of the lineup with a lower-body injury. Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that the winger has been skating on his own.
- The Devils have six players entering tonight's game on point streaks: Dawson Mercer (three games), Jack Hughes (three games), Michael McLeod (two games), Nico Hischier (three games), Luke Hughes (three games), and Tyler Toffoli (three games).
- Per MSG Networks statistician Nick Cahill, The Sharks have 22 five-on-five goals this season, 11 less than any other team in the league. Additionally, on the road, they only have four.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Their lineup in their last game:
Ondrej Palat -Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Tyler Toffoli - Jack Hughes - Dawson Mercer
Alexander Holtz - Michael McLeod - Curtis Lazar
Samuel Laberge - Chris Tierney - Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler - Luke Hughes
Kevin Bahl - John Marino
Brendan Smith - Colin Miller
Akira Schmid/Vitek Vanecek
San Jose:
William Eklund - Tomas Hertl - Mike Hoffman
Fabian Zetterlund - Mikael Granlund - Anthony Duclair
Jacob MacDonald - Nico Sturm - Luke Kunin
Givani Smith - Ryan Carpenter - Justin Bailey
Mario Ferraro - Ty Emberson
Calen Addison - Matt Benning
Nikita Okhotiuk - Kyle Burroughs
Kaapo Kahkonen
Mackenzie Blackwood
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.