Two of the top teams in the Metro Division–the Columbus Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils–meet tonight for the first time this season at Nationwide Arena.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have a huge game tonight against one of the biggest surprises in the entire NHL this season. For most of the season, the New Jersey Devils have been atop the Metro Division standings despite having the No. 1 overall pick in the draft this past summer due to their abysmal 2016-17 record.
Although the Devils are no longer in first (they’re one point behind the first-place Blue Jackets), they are still very competitive and a strong team that is sticking around with some of the very best in the league. Many experts believed that the team would drop off once they started playing tougher teams, but they have yet to flounder like people predicted.
The Blue Jackets are a tough team as well, though. They are now in first-place in the Metro Division after a great last 10 games. Goaltending has been the main reason for the surge but strong performances by players such as Pierre-Luc Dubois, Josh Anderson and more has pushed the team to a much better place than they expected to be in.
This game is a huge game for both sides, so expect some chippyness and some great hockey.
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Game Information
- Game: Columbus Blue Jackets (17-9-1) vs. New Jersey Devils (15-7-4)
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Nationwide Arena (Columbus, OH)
- TV: FOX Sports Ohio, FOX Sports Go, NHL.TV
- Radio: 97.1 FM The Fan (Columbus, OH)
Injury Report
Columbus Blue Jackets
- Ryan Murray (Upper-Body)
- Markus Nutivaara (Upper-Body)
New Jersey Devils
- Kyle Palmieri (Foot)
- Mirco Mueller (Clavicle)
CBJ Projected Lines
Panarin – Dubois – Anderson
Foligno – Wennberg – Atkinson
Calvert – Dubinsky – Bjorkstrand
Jenner – Sedlak – Motte
Werenski – Jones
Johnson – Savard
Harrington – Carlsson
Bobrovsky
Korpisalo
Next: Did the CBJ get their heart back?
NJD Projected Lines
Taylor Hall – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt
Marcus Johansson – Travis Zajac – Drew Stafford
Brian Gibbons – Blake Coleman – Stefan Noesen