New Jersey Devils (11-18-5) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (15-14-6)
7:00 PM ET • Nationwide Arena • MSG+ / FS-O • Devils Hockey Network
*Links for Devils Hockey Network can be found on newjerseydevils.com and on Devils’ social media channels.*
Check @NJDevils on Twitter for Morning Skate Interviews
Pre-Game Availability *subject to change
4:45 PM Media Availability at Nationwide Arena*
LAST GAME vs. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
The Devils fell to the Capitals, 6-3, in the first of four contests of the 2019-20 regular season series. New Jersey falls to 3-4-1 (3-2-1 home) against Metropolitan Division rivals this season. The Devils fall to 2-5-2 at Prudential Center and 3-12-2 overall against the Caps since the 2015-16 season. New Jersey will face-off against Washington, Jan. 11 @ Capital One Arena.
Andy Greene suited up for the 900th time sporting a Devils uniform tonight. Greene becomes the sixth skated and third defenseman in Devils franchise history to play 900 games (credit: Craig Seiden, NJD Radio).
New Jersey was 1-1 on the penalty kill tonight, and 1-3 on the power play. The Capitals outshot the Devils, 29-27. New Jersey was 27-54 (50%) in face-offs tonight.
Tonight opened New Jersey’s 10th of 16 sets of back-to-back play. The club falls to 1-6-3 in first games.
Kyle Palmieri opened the scoring for the Devils, 4:00 into the first frame, assisted by Nico Hischier and P.K. Subban. Palmieri notches his 14th goal of the season and third consecutive goal in three games, tying a season high (prev: S. Vatanen, 3G; 10/25-11/1). Subban ends a 21 game pointless streak with his helper on the man advantage, and picks up his first power-play point of his 2019-20 campaign. Hischier extends his point streak to two (1G-1A; 12/18-20).
Blake Coleman tallied the Devils’ second goal of the tilt, 4:15 into the second period, assisted by Nikita Gusev. Gusev extends his assist streak to two games with his helper.
Miles Wood notched New Jersey’s third and final goal of the game, 19:48 into the third frame assisted by Damon Severson and Gusev. The second helper gives the Moscow, RUS native his first multi-point game of his NHL career (2A).
Mackenzie Blackwood got his 23rd start this season, allowing five goals on 26 shots against while stopping one penalty shot. Blackwood falls to 10-10-4 this season.
The last time New Jersey faced a penalty shot at Prudential Center was Mar. 19, 2017 where Brandon Dubinsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets was successful against Cory Schneider in a 4-1 loss.
Gilles Senn made his NHL debut tonight. Senn entered the game in the third period at the 48:25 mark. Senn stopped two of the three shots faced in 11:35 minutes of action
Nicklas Backstrom notched his fifth career four-point game (2G-2A), for the third consecutive season against the Devils. Backstrom tallied the game-winner for Washington. The four points allowed by a single player is the most New Jersey has allowed this season (prev.: J. Marchessault, 3G; 12/3 vs VGK).
TONIGHT’S GAME @ COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Tonight marks the first of four contests between New Jersey and Columbus. The Blue Jackets defeated the Devils in the 2018-19 regular season series, 4-0-0 (8PTS). New Jersey was 0-9 on the man advantage, and 12-13 on the penalty kill in the four games played. The Caps outscored the Devils, 10-3.
Tonight concludes New Jersey’s 10th of 16 sets of back-to-back play. The club looks improve their 4-4-1 record in second games.
Blake Coleman (1G-1A) led the Devils in points, tallying two in four games played. Coleman and Travis Zajac (1G) led New Jersey in goals, notching one each in the 2018-19 season series. Kyle Palmieri led the team in shots on goal, with 13 in three games played.
Mackenzie Blackwood allowed two goals in 87 minutes of action against Columbus. Blackwood is a career 0-1-0 against the Blue Jackets, posting a 1.38 GAA.
Cam Atkinson (4G-1A) led the Caps in scoring in the season series, tallying five points in four games played against New Jersey. Pierre-Luc Dubois (1G-2A), and David Savard (2A) led Columbus in assists in the season series.
Joonas Korpisalo saw 60 minutes of action in one game played against New Jersey last season. Korpisalo posted a 1-0-0 record and 1.00 GAA, allowing one goal.
The Devils are 2-6-0 at Nationwide Arena and 2-13-1 overall against the Blue jackets since the 2015-16 season. New Jersey will face-off against Washington, Jan. 11 @ Capital One Arena in the second contest of the 2019-20 regular season series.
INJURIES
Matt Tennyson (I.R.) – 6 games missed; Upper-body injury sustained Dec. 3
Louis Domingue (I.R.) – 3 games missed; Lower-body injury sustained Dec. 13
Total Man-Games Lost to Injury: 60
HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER
The New Jersey Devils will support the National Hockey League’s annual Hockey Fights Cancer initiative on Saturday, Nov. 23, when the team faces off against the Detroit Red Wings at 7 p.m. EST.
Local 11-Year Old Brain tumor Survivor Serves as Guest of honor
The team will honor eleven-year old Grace Eline, a Morris County brain tumor survivor. Through the Devils partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, Grace joined the team for practice on Monday, worked on some drills and met the guys. On Saturday, she will be the guest of honor, read the starting lineup, and drop the puck on the ceremonial puck drop.
Grace was treated at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, an RWJBarnabs Health facility, and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Grace has achieved N.E.D. status meaning there is no evidence of disease. RWJBarnabas Health is the Official Healthcare Provider of the New Jersey Devils.
Celebrating the Survivors
As part of the “I Fight For” placard unveiling, the Devils have brought back three of their recent honorees from previous HFC games – Quinn Knapp and Santino Anastasia.
Supporting a Regional Medical Center
Fundraising efforts throughout the game will help to renovate the Clara Maass Medical Center Infusion Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. In partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Clara Maass Medical Center and RWJBarnabas Health provide patients access to the most advanced treatment options close to home. The Cancer Center at Clara Maas Medical Center continues to receive the prestigious accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer as a community hospital comprehensive cancer program.
Lavender Warm-Up Jerseys and Players Sticks Auctioned for Charity:
Lavender players jerseys worn during warm-ups, and sticks adorned with lavender tape, will be auctioned off through December 7 online at newjerseydevils.com/auction. All proceeds from the auction, as well as the game’s 50/50 raffle, will go towards the Clara Maass Medical Center Infusion Center renovation.
MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT
Prudential Center and the New Jersey Devils will honored our nation’s service members during the team’s annual Military Appreciation Night, Nov. 15 vs PIT.
The Kyle Palmieri Foundation, founded by New Jersey Devils right wing, Kyle Palmieri, and his wife, Ashlee Casper, gives back to those who put their lives on the line to preserve American freedom. Kyle has strong ties with the military as his sister and brother-in-law are currently serving in the National Guard and U.S. Army. This close connection to the military inspired Kyle to do more to help those who sacrifice the most.
Over the past four seasons, Kyle Palmieri has been providing active military service members and veterans an opportunity to attend a Devils regular season home game. During 10 select home games, Palmieri’s foundation, Squad 21 invites 21 military personnel and a guest to sit in Kyle’s reserved section, along with a t-shirt, and a post-game meet and greet with Kyle.
MILESTONES
*Jesper Boqvist – 1st NHL goal (Nov. 26 vs. MIN)
*Blake Coleman – 200 GP NJD/NHL (Nov. 19 vs. BOS)
*Andy Greene – Passed Scott Niedermayer for 7th place all time in Devils/franchise GP (893)(Dec. 3 vs. VGK)
-900th NJD/NHL GP (Dec. 20 vs. WSH)
-3 G to 50 NJD/NHL
-8 A to 200 NJD/NHL
*Nikita Gusev – 1st NHL goal (Oct. 4 vs. WPG)
*John Hayden – 1st Devils point (1A; Nov. 23 vs. DET)
*Nico Hischier – 100th NHL/Devils career points (Oct. 5 @ BUF; 1A)
*Jack Hughes – 1st NHL point (Oct. 17 vs. NYR; 1A)
-1st NHL goal (Oct. 19 vs. VAN)
*Kyle Palmieri – 500th NHL GP (Oct. 10 vs. EDM)
–100th Devils assist (Nov. 1 vs. PHI)
-300th NHL point (Oct. 30 vs. TB; 3G)
-50th PPG (Oct. 30 vs. TB)
-150th NHL assists (Nov. 28 @ MTL)
*Gilles Senn – 1st NHL appearance (Dec. 20 vs. WSH)
*P.K. Subban – 100th NHL goal (Nov. 2 @ CAR)
*Sami Vatanen – 100th Devils GP (Jan. 15 @ CBJ)
-400th NHL GP (Nov. 4 @ WPG)
*Miles Wood – 200th NHL/NJD GP (Oct. 4 vs. WPG)
*Travis Zajac – Passed John MacLean for fifth place in GP in NJD franchise history with 935 (Nov. 5 @ WPG)
-3 PTS from tying Kirk Muller for third place on the Devils all-time points list
-4 G to tie Zach Parise four fourth place on the Devils all-time goals list
RECENT HAPPENINGS
October 6: Signed Joe Morrow to a one-year, two-way contract
-Placed and cleared waivers, to Binghamton (AHL)
October 12: Placed Andy Greene on I.R. retroactive to Oct. 9 @ PHI
-Recalled Matt Tennyson from Binghamton (AHL)
October 25: Placed Connor Carrick on I.R.
November 1: Acquired G Louis Domingue for a conditional seventh round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft
November 15: Placed Sami Vatanen on I.R.
-Recalled Colton White from Binghamton (AHL)
November 17: Assigned Colton White to Binghmaton (AHL)
November 18: Placed Cory Schneider on waivers (cleared waivers, to Binghamton (AHL))
-Recalled Louis Domingue from Binghamton (AHL)
November 22: Placed Kevin Rooney on I.R.
November 23: Recalled Brett Seney from Binghamton (AHL)
November 29: Assigned Brett Seney to Binghamton (AHL)
December 5: Placed Matt Tennyson on I.R. retroactive to Dec. 3 vs VGK
December 6: Assigned Connor Carrick to Binghamton (AHL) on a conditioning stint
-Recalled Colton White from Binghamton (AHL)
Dec. 10: Placed Nico Hischier on I.R.
-Recalled Michael McLeod from Binghamton (AHL)
Dec. 13: Activated Nico Hischier off of I.R.
-Assigned Colton White to Binghamton (AHL)
Dec. 14: Placed Louis Domingue on I.R.
-Recalled Evan Cormier from Binghamton (AHL)
Dec. 16: Traded Taylor Hall and Blake Speers to Arizona in exchange for Arizona’s first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft (top-three protected), Arizona’s third-round selection (conditional) in 2021, defenseman Kevin Bahl and forwards Nick Merkley and Nate Schnarr
Dec. 17: Assigned Evan Cormier to Binghamton (AHL)
-Recalled Gilles Senn from Binghamton (AHL)
Dec. 18: Activated Connor Carrick off of I.R.
NIC-OT
On Feb. 9th,2019, Nico Hischier (1G-1A) scored with 1:41 remaining in overtime to help the Devils overcome a three-goal deficit to win for the second time this season (also: Dec. 14 vs. VGK). The first-overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft (20 years, 42 days) became the first player in Devils franchise history to record three overtime goals before his 21st birthday. Among all active NHL players, only Ilya Kovalchuk (4) and Sean Monahan (4) scored more overtime tucks prior to turning 21. Hischier has scored the game winner in the clubs three overtime wins.
HOW THEY WERE BUILT
In the System:
Jesper Boqvist (2017, 2nd round, 36th overall)
Mackenzie Blackwood (2015, 2nd round, 42nd overall)
Jesper Bratt (2016, 6th round, 162nd overall)
Blake Coleman (2011, 3rd round, 75th overall)
Nico Hischier (2017, 1st round, 1st overall)
Jack Hughes (2019, 1st round, 1st overall)
Michael McLeod (2016, 1st round, 12th overall)
Gilles Senn (2017, 5th round, 129th overall)
Damon Severson (2012, 2nd round, 60th overall)
Miles Wood (2013, 4th round, 100th overall)
Pavel Zacha (2015, 1st round, 6th overall)
Travis Zajac (2004, 1st round, 20th overall)
Free Agency: Will Butcher, Andy Greene, Kevin Rooney, Wayne Simmonds, Matt Tennyson
Trade: Connor Carrick, Louis Domingue, Nikita Gusev, John Hayden, Mirco Mueller, Kyle Palmieri, P.K. Subban, Sami Vatanen
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