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Columbus Blue Jackets: Staring Down The Barrel – Pucks and Pitchforks

By Preston Byers

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 5: David Savard #58 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the New Jersey Devils on December 5, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 5: David Savard #58 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the New Jersey Devils on December 5, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Ahead of tonight’s Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New Jersey Devils rematch, we talked with Nick Villano of PucksAndPitchforks.com about some NJD topics.

The Columbus Blue Jackets visit New Jersey for the first time this season to try to get revenge on the Devils, a team that took out the Jackets at Nationwide just days ago in the teams’ first season meeting.

Both the CBJ and Devils have hung around the top of the Metro all season, so a win for the Blue Jackets would be great to take back the two points that the Devils got for their victory in the first encounter.

Before the teams take the ice, though, we made sure to talk with Nick Villano. Nick is the site expert of PucksAndPitchforks.com, FanSided’s New Jersey Devils website.

Preview: Blue Jackets at Devils

This year has been a massive turnaround from last year for the Devils. What would you say is the biggest reason behind this?

Obviously, Nico Hischier has been huge for the Devils. The No. 1 overall pick unseated Travis Zajac as the top line center. That line with Taylor Hall and Jesper Bratt has been one of the most lethal in the Metro. Also, Cory Schneider‘s return to form after a bad season has been great.

Adam Henrique recently got traded away to Anaheim. How do you feel about the deal?

I love Adam Henrique. Most of us said he was our favorite player. However, we needed defense in a bad way. Sami Vatanen plays power play, penalty kill and every other situation. He doesn’t make the mistakes that kill teams. The trade will end up being a good one for New Jersey.

What would you say is the biggest weakness of the Devils?

The bottom of the defense is still a problem. John Moore leaves much to be desired. Andy Greene looks old. Steven Santini has been inconsistent. If Vatanen can help this team get consistent on the blue line, watch out.

What does NJD need to do to beat the Blue Jackets for the second time?

It’s all about Cory Schneider. If he holds them to one goal again, I don’t see the Devils losing.

Our next meeting isn’t for another three months. If you had to predict, where will both teams be in the Metro standings when that Feb. 10 game comes around?

I see the Capitals and Penguins figuring it out. I can see all four of these teams still in playoff spots barring an injury.

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