Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils in Ottawa Seeking Back to Back Wins

By Jeremiah McElwain

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91. . 85. Final.

The New Jersey Devils are in Ottawa Wednesday, a win over the Senators would make it two in a row.

The Devils (18-14-5) look to carry to Ottawa (18-13-6), the momentum built up by Tuesday’s come-from-behind 3-2 win over Carolina. Coach John Hynes shook up the lines and it had the affect he was looking for. The Devils got goals from Bobby Farnham, Kyle Palmieri and David Schlemko. Keith Kinkaid picked up the win stopping 26 of 28 shots. 

The Devils won the only other match up this season, a 5-4  shootout win in Ottawa on October 22nd.

In a rare scheduling quirk, both the Devils and Senators are playing back-to-back nights. Ottawa got beat up, both literally and figuratively, in Boston giving up four goals in the third period in a 7-3 loss. Between the two teams, 11 players earned penalties in the last two minutes of the game with ten of them being either misconduct or fighting penalties.

Goalie Matchup

Cory Schneider will be back between the pipes for the Devils after sitting out last night . Schneider is posting a .924 save percentage in 30 games this season. He was in net last on Saturday in the Devils 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes where he turned away 22-of-25 shots.

For the Sens, starter Craig Anderson will sit tonight after surrendering seven goals to the Bruins. Back up Andrew Hammond will be in net instead. Hammond sports a .925 save percentage in six starts this year. He last played against Tampa Bay on December 20th in a 5-2 loss.

 Lineup Changes

The Devils Jacob Josefson was placed in injured reserve today, and Mike Sislo has been called up from Albany. Sislo had an assist in 10 games with the Devils last season. At Albany he’s played in 28 games and scored 13 goals and added 10 assists. Sislo will wear number 46 tonight.

“So, I think good things happen when you do the right things and we did the right things and got rewarded for it.” – John Hynes on Tuesday’s win.

Also news of note is that the Devils have signed MacKenzie Blackwood to a three-year entry level contract. Blackwood was a second-round pick in the 2015 NHL draft.

Tom Gulitti reports that “Blackwood’s contract totals $2,127,500 – $667,500 in the first two seasons and $792,500 in the third season.” Blackwood was the OHL goalie of the month in November posting an 8-2-0 record with a .942 save percentage.

Today’s lines won’t be announced until closer to game time but will likely look as follows: Cammalleri – Henrique – Palmieri; Tlusty – Zajac – Kennedy; Matteau – Kalinin – Stempniak; Farnham – Gionta – Tootoo; Greene – Moore; Schlemko – Larsson; Merrill – Severson.

For Ottawa, both Mike Kostka and Fredrik Claesson have been called up from Binghamton.

Ottawa’s lines will likely be: Hoffman – Zibanejad – Ryan; Smith – Turris – Stone; Dziurzysnki – Pageau – Chiasson; Prince – McCormick – Neil; Methot – Karlsson; Wiercioch – Borowiecki; Cowen – Wideman.

Analysis

Ottawa is a team that likes to play fast paced and high energy. They rank fifth in the league in goals scored. They’ve also won five straight home games. After last nights beating at the hands of the Bruins I can see things going two ways. The Senators could be so amped up that they come out aggressive and hit the Devils on the chin before they even know what happened.

On the flip side, they could be so emotionally drained from last nights loss that they come out flat and put out another poor performance.  The Devils looked solid Tuesday, even though they played from behind most of the game.

With Cory Schneider back in net and the offense clicking they need to get on the board early.

Finding the Broadcast

The game will air on MSG+ with the puck dropping at 7:30 p.m. It can be found on the radio on 660AM and  Radio 101.9 FM WFAN.

Several Last Thoughts

If you missed the fight last night between the Senators and Bruins. Here you go. You’re welcome.

There’s still this. Just saying.

Next: Can the New Jersey Devils Score Goals for Cory Schneider

I’ve always been a fan of Gomez, and would absolutely love to see him back in the Red and Black.

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