The New Jersey Devils are on the road to take on the Boston Bruins. New Jersey is coming off a big Saturday night win over the Florida Panthers where they just ended their 9-game winning streak.
As for the Bruins, they were overtime winners over the St. Louis Blues on the same night. Both teams have high hopes for this season but need to play their games perfectly to reach that potential.
The Devils need the points more than the Bruins. They are in the Wild Card bubble because of bad goaltending and injuries. Meanwhile, the Bruins currently lead the Atlantic Division standings.
This game is going to be a matinee matchup on Monday. The 1 PM ET start should be a great way to kick off an outstanding sports day. Here is how each team is expected to line up:
The Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils are both loaded with talent
Injuries
NJD
Dougie Hamilton (pectoral muscle - IR)
Tomas Nosek (foot - IR)
Ondrej Palat (LBI)
Timo Meier (mid-body)
Jack Hughes (UBI)
Jonas Siegenthaler (broken foot - IR)
BOS
Matthew Poitras (shoulder)
Linus Ullmark (LBI)
Pavel Zacha (illness)
Brandon Carlo (UBI - IR)
Derek Forbort (IR)
Milan Lucic (ankle - IR)
There are some significant injuries on both sides but the New Jersey Devils have a few more consequential players out of the lineup. Palat, Meier, and Hughes are all usually in the top six so the Devils winning without them has been impressive.
Expected Lines, Pairs, and Goalies
NJD
Haula - Hischier - Mercer
Toffoli - McLeod - Bratt
Tierney - Lazar - Holtz
Willman - Bowers - Bastian
Smith - Nemec
Hughes - Marino
Bahl - Miller
Daws
There is no reason for the New Jersey Devils to start anybody other than Nico Daws right now. Vitek Vanecek has been bad and Daws has been incredible. When they can get a save, there is not a team in the league that they can't beat.
BOS
Boqvist - Geekie - Pastrnak
Marchand - Coyle - DeBrusk
JVR - Frederic - Heinen
Lauko - Beecher - Steen
Lohrei - McAvoy
Lindholm - Wotherspoon
Grzelcyk - Shattenkirk
Swayman
Pavel Zacha is a game-time decision due to his illness. If he comes in, there are a lot of spots that he can fit in but someone will have to come out in his place. Jesper Boqvist might be moved down the lineup if Zacha played.
This is a very good group of Boston Bruins who are going to present a challenge because of their goaltending and defense. Jeremy Swayman will be the starting goaltender.