Match-up - Chicago Blackhawks (28-7-8) @ New Jersey Devils (17-16-8)
Road/Home records - 13-5-3 -------------- 8-5-5
TV - MSG Plus, CSN-CH
Puck drop - 7:00 PM ET
Season series - Blackhawks lead 1-0
Last 10: Blackhawks 6-1-3 / Devils 5-3-2
Projected starting goalies - Antti Raanta vs Martin Brodeur



Projected lines for the Blackhawks:

Patrick Sharp - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa
Kris Versteeg - Michal Handzus - Patrick Kane
Bryan Bickell - Andrew Shaw - Brandon Saad
Brandon Bollig - Marcus Kruger - Ben Smith

Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook
Niklas Hjalmarsson - Johnny Oduya
Nick Leddy - Mike Kostka

Injuries: Nikolai Khabibulin.

Projected lines for the Devils:

Dainius Zubrus - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr
Ryan Clowe - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder
Ryan Carter - Stephen Gionta - Steve Bernier
Reid Boucher - Andrei Loktionov - Mike Sislo

Andy Greene - Mark Fayne
Bryce Salvador - Marek Zidlicky
Eric Gelinas - Jon Merrill

Injuries: Adam Larsson, Pete Harrold, Damien Brunner, Patrik Elias.

Game notes:

- Travis Zajac and his linemates were absolutely dominated against Chicago last time out. Zajac has shown the ability to shut down opposing teams top players all season and did an excellent job against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, so we should expect a better effort this time around.

- The Chicago Blackhawks are a dominant 5 vs 5 team and their power play is spectacular, so it's important for the Devils to stay disciplined and keep their feet moving. If they use the speed they do have, they should be able to draw a few penalties. Given the Blackhawks' struggles while down a man this season, the Devils should be able to take advantage of the opportunities they get. If New Jersey can convert on a power play goal or two, they should have a good chance to win this game. When you're going up against an outstanding even strength team, special teams become even more magnified.

- Adam Henrique and Michael Ryder are both playing the best hockey of the season. They're coming off multi-point efforts, have six points in their last seven games, respectively, and are playing some good hockey on a line with Ryane Clowe. The Devils have struggled to score goals all season long, so some consistency from a line other than Zajac's would be huge for them.

- It looks like Ryan Carter will draw back into the lineup and appears to be reunited with Gionta and Bernier. They haven't played much together over the last two seasons due to injuries and such, but they have been good when the opportunity to play together has presented itself. Against a deep Chicago team, Pete DeBoer and the coaching staff could use a good effort from that line.

- Martin Brodeur has won four of his last five starts and has earned the Devils at least one point in the standings in all five games, so it's no surprise he's getting the nod in goal tonight. The Devils will need another good showing from him because they're not going to win a shootout against a high-powered team like Chicago.

- New Jersey enters tonight's contest having recorded at least a point in seven of their last eight games. A win tonight would tie them with Philadelphia for 3rd place in the Metro Division, though the Flyers hold the tiebreaker, I believe.

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