New Jersey Devils (17–20–7) vs Chicago Blackhawks (16–22–9)
6:00pm CST
Prudential Center
TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN
PROJECTED STARTERS
Chicago – Cam Ward (7–7–4, SV%: .889, GAA: 3.80)
New Jersey – MacKenzie Blackwood (4–2–0, SV%: .947, GAA: 1.85)
TEAM STATISTICS
Power Play
Chicago (17,6%, 20th)
New Jersey (17.5%, 21st)
Penalty Kill
Chicago (74.3%, 30th)
New Jersey (85.7%, 2nd)
Shorts for/against
Chicago (31.3, 18th; 34.8, 30th)
New Jersey (32.6, 10th; 31.7, 20th)
Shooting %
Chicago (9.3%, 17th)
New Jersey (8.8%, 22nd)
Faceoff %
Chicago (49.6%, 18th)
New Jersey (47.7%, 29th)
Avg. height/weight
Chicago 6’1”, 196lbs
New Jersey 6’1” 198lbs
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS
Chicago Blackhawks
Brandon Saad–Jonathan Toews–Dominik Kahun
Artem Anisimov–Dylan Strome–Patrick Kane
Alex DeBrincat–David Kampf–Brendan Perlini
John Hayden–Marcus Kruger–Drake Caggiula
Henri Jokiharju–Brent Seabrook
New Jersey Devils
Marcus Johansson–Nico Hischier–Kyle Palmieri
Miles Wood–Travis Zajac–Blake Coleman
Brett Seney–Pavel Zacha–Jesper Bratt
Brian Boyle–Kevin Rooney–Drew Stafford
Analysis
After three consecutive 4-3 losses, the Blackhawks head east to visit the New Jersey Devils on Monday night before heading to Madison Square Garden to take on the Rangers on Thursday. The Blackhawks will look for their first win in a week as they take on a depleted Devils club.
One bright spot for the Blackhawks over the past week has been the play of Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. On the power play, the two have been lethal, scoring on nearly the exact play every time. Look for these two to continue to connect as the Blackhawks are one of the league’s hottest power plays over the last three weeks (yes, you read that correctly).
The Devils have struggled since the turn of the new year. Since January 1st, the Devils are only 2-4, with a three-game losing streak baked in there. The Devils snapped that losing streak on Saturday against the Flyers as Mackenzie Blackwood, the Devils’ sensational young goaltender, earned the victory 3-2. The Devils will look to make their winning streak two after Monday night’s contest.
Despite the prior win, the Devils have lacked one element that has made them so dangerous, and that is Taylor Hall. The reigning MVP is currently on the IR with a lower-body injury and hasn’t skated since December 23rd. There’s an outside chance he can return to their lineup this week, but don’t expect to see him against the Blackhawks.