New Jersey Devils Matchup Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets

By Tyler Zupan |

If you have not noticed the trend by now, I am previewing the New Jersey Devils Metropolitan Division matchups in reverse order of the 2014-2015 standings. After previewing Carolina and Philadelphia, the next division rival is a team on the rise, the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Devils will continue to establish a rivalry with the Jackets as they begin their third season in the same division. Though they missed the playoffs last season largely due to a number of injuries, the Jackets look like a team that is ready to contend in the Eastern Conference, even if their start to 2015-16 has been subpar (well, awful actually).

Last Season Recap: The Devils went 2-1-1 against Columbus last season, winning the season series. Three of the four games between these two ended with a final score of 3-2.

2015-2016 Scheduled Meetings: 10/27 at New Jersey, 11/25 at New Jersey, 2/25 at Columbus, 3/19 at Columbus, 3/20 at New Jersey

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What to Expect: Look out for the Jackets in 2015-2016, as they have the potential to be a force if they can stay healthy. Despite all the injuries last season, this is still a team that won 40 games. This team also got much stronger in the offseason.

The Jackets made one of the biggest and most surprising splashes in the offseason when they acquired forward Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks. The young rising star will only add to the talented forward group in Columbus.

Along with Saad, the Jackets still have another star with Ryan Johansen. Those two, along with captain Nick Foligno, should make up a deadly top line. Columbus will also get scoring from agitators Scott Hartnell and Brandon Dubinsky, sniper Cam Atkinson, and youngsters such as Boone Jenner and Alexander Wennberg.

However on the blue line, the Jackets could run into some trouble. Top guys such as Jack Johnson and Ryan Murray have struggled with consistency and health issues, respectively. There is not much depth either, as the bottom pair will likely be comprised of inexperienced youngsters.

The only bright spots on the Jackets blue-line are David Savard, who has developed into a fine top four defenseman, and the stable veteran Fedor Tyutin. If their top and bottom pairing guys start to perform this season, Columbus will have a solid defense.

In net, the Jackets will roll with former Vezina trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been excellent in his three seasons in Columbus. The only concern for Bobrovsky is his durability to handle a 60+ game workload. “Bob” will also have Curtis McElhinney as his backup once again.

Advantages and Disadvantages: Though it may not seem clear, New Jersey’s defense seems to have the advantage over Columbus. This is due to the fact that the Devils have more depth at the position and their veterans are much more consistent. Andy Greene and Adam Larsson will be an excellent top pairing this season.

Though he has not won a Vezina, Cory Schneider has looked like the better netminder over Sergei Bobrovsky. Both will be heavily relied on by their respective teams, but Schneider has shown that he can handle a heavy workload and excel behind a weaker roster. Bobrovsky needs to stay healthy this year and play in 60+ games.

As far as forward comparisons go, it is the same old song and dance for New Jersey. Columbus has a far better forward group that will only be made better by Brandon Saad. It will take mass overachieving and a miracle of sorts for the Devils to have better scoring than the Blue Jackets.

Last season on special teams, the Jackets had one of the league’s top powerplays, while their penalty kill ranked towards the bottom. The former is likely to continue, while the latter should improve with a healthy roster and the addition of Saad, a penalty killing specialist.

The Devils surprisingly had an effective powerplay last season (8th overall), but it was not better than the Jackets. It is unlikely that New Jersey will rank that high again (and they have not done so hot lately), unless John Hynes’ system is effective. Their PK however, while struggling at the moment, should be better than Columbus given their excellent goaltender and strong defense.

Prediction: New Jersey is a rebuilding team and they are going to have tough season and be bested by teams that are clearly better than them. There is no shame in admitting that, even if you are a die-hard superfan. Facts are facts.

The Columbus Blue Jackets should be one of those teams that will beat New Jersey without issue. It is my belief that the Devils will go 1-3-1 against the Jackets this season. However, I also believe that they will also be close games thanks mostly to Cory Schneider.

What do you foresee with the New Jersey vs. Columbus matchup this season? Does Columbus look like a contender that will steam roll the Devils, or will New Jersey surprise everyone? Do you have any hatred for Columbus yet as a division rival, or are you indifferent with them. Please give your thoughts in the comments section below.

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