San Jose Sharks (11-9-1) At New Jersey Devils (9-6-4) • 7:00 PM ET • Prudential Center • ESPN+, HULU/Listen: DEVILS HOCKEY NET
*Links for Devils Hockey Network can be found on newjerseydevils.com and on Devils’ social media channels.*
Check @NJDevils on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook for Morning Skate Interviews
Pre-Game Availability *subject to change
– 11: 00 am morning skate (approx.)- Media Availability for select players and Head Coach Lindy Ruff, please contact Devils PR for requests*
*All session media availabilities (practice, skates, post-game) are accessible for all media via the Dropbox folder below:*
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nqlb8rjzqwul010/AAALRLznOEORs_aFHlT0Ob_ca?dl=0
LAST GAME
New Jersey earned its first win vs Philadelphia for the 2021-22 campaign and defeated the Flyers by a score of 5-2.
GOALS:
PHI: S. Laughton (SHG), J. Farabee
NJD: D. Hamilton, A. Johnsson (2), J. Bratt, N. Bastian
INJURIES
Miles Wood (Indefinitely) – Lower-body Injury (Right hip), I.R.
Jack Hughes (Week-to-Week) – Upper-Body Injury, I.R.
Tyce Thompson (Injured Reserve) – Upper-body Injury, I.R.
Christian Jaros (Injured Reserve) – Upper-Body Injury, I.R.
Jesper Boqvist (Injured Reserve) – Upper-body Injury, I.R.
Total Man-Games Lost to Injury: 72
RECENT HAPPENINGS
Nov. 2: Mackenzie Blackwood activated off I.R.
Nov. 4: Placed Scott Wedgewood on waivers (Claimed, ARI)
Recalled Alexander Holtz from Utica (AHL)
Nov. 6: Placed Christian Jaros on I.R.
Recalled Colton White from Utica (AHL)
Nov. 7: Marian Studenic placed on waivers
Nov. 8: Marian Studenic & Freddy Gauthier assigned to Utica (AHL)
Nov. 9: Jesper Boqvist & Tyce Thompson recalled from Utica (AHL)
Nov 17: Tyce Thompson placed on I.R. (Upper-body)
Fabian Zetterlund recalled from Utica (AHL)
Nov. 23: Alexander Holtz assigned to Utica (AHL)
Chase De Leo recalled from Utica (AHL)
Nov. 24: Jesper Boqvist placed on I.R. (Upper-Body)
Nate Bastian claimed off waivers
Nov. 27: Fabian Zetterlund reassigned to Utica (AHL)
TONIGHT’S GAME VS SAN JOSE
Jersey’s team hosts the Teal for the first time since Feb. 20, 2020, which resulted in a 2-1 win for the Devils.
Tonight’s contest marks the second and final meeting between the out-of-conference foes. New Jersey defeated the Sharks in a 3-2 shootout victory at San Jose on Nov. 6. The Devils are 3-3-1 vs San Jose since 2017-18.
Next game vs San Jose: Season series concluded after tonight
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Thursday, Dec. 2: at MIN, 8:00 P.M. E.T.
Friday, Dec. 3: at WPG, 8:00 P.M. ET
Wednesday, Dec. 8: vs PHI, 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Friday, Dec. 10: vs NSH, 7:30 P.M. E.T.
Saturday, Dec. 11: at NYI, 7:30 P.M. E.T.
New Jersey will face-off with all 31 NHL teams for the 2021-22 campaign and its regular season concludes on Apr. 29 at Prudential Center vs Detroit.
The Devils are 22-16-2-4 in franchise history vs San Jose in the regular season, and New Jersey’s all-time franchise home record vs the Sharks is 12-8-1-2 in the regular season.
The Devils have recorded two-or-more goals during the third period in four consecutive contests, and have outscored opponents 11-3 over that span. Eleven of the team’s last 14 goals were recorded in the third period of play.
Patrik Elias is New Jersey’s all-time leading scorer vs San Jose (10g-10a—20PTS).
Hockey Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur (10-8-2-0) is New Jersey’s all-time wins leaders vs the Sharks.
Dougie Hamilton scored an emotional goal on Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Prudential Center on Sunday. He honored a young girl named Thea from Calgary and displayed her name on the blade of his stick. Thea unfortunately passed away after battling cancer.
Jack Hughes participated in practice on Saturday and skated in a full-contact sweater.
New Jersey’s 2016 2nd-round draft pick, 41st overall, Nate Bastian was claimed off waivers by the Devils on Thursday. Bastian was selected by Seattle in the 2021 Expansion Draft & returns to the Garden State after playing in 12 games with the expansion Seattle Kraken this season.
The Devils announced and officially introduced the team’s first-ever alternate sweater on Tuesday, Nov. 23rd. The organization “answered with a black-inspired/red-shadowed design that weaves together Jersey pride, Devils history & the state’s professional hockey heritage.”
MUTUAL CONNECTIONS
Former New Jersey forwards John MacLean and John Madden are assistant coaches for San Jose.
MacLean ranks second in franchise history behind Patrik Elias in points (347g-354a-701PTS), after donning a Devils sweater for parts of 14 seasons (1983-84 to 1997-98) Additionally, his 347 goals rank second behind Elias for second all-time in franchise history. MacLean was also a key member for the team’s first Stanley Cup championship in 1994-95.
The long-time Devil was an assistant coach with New Jersey from 2002-03 to 2008-09 and hoisted the team’s third Stanley Cup in 2003.
Madden not only won two Stanley Cups with New Jersey in 1999-00 & 2002-03, but holds the record for the most career shorthanded goals in franchise history (17), the most shorthanded goals recorded in a season (6, 1999-00) & earned the 2000-01 Frank J. Selke Trophy “as the forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.” Madden is the only Devils player that’s earned the Selke Trophy.
LAST TRADE
The last time the Devils and San Jose executed a trade was July 26, 2021, when the Devils acquired defenseman Christian Jaros in exchange for Nick Merkley.
DID YOU KNOW
The Devils have twice swept San Jose in a regular-season series: 1992-93: Nov. 7, 1992, 6-1 win & Mar. 29, 1993, 5-0 win; 1996-97: Oct. 24, 1996, 3-1 win & Jan, 24, 1997, 3-1 win.
DHN TRIVIA QUESTION
Dainius Zubrus is one of two former Devils skaters who played in San Jose’s only Stanley Cup final appearance in 2015-16. Who is the other player?
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT THE NEW KIDS IN TOWN
New Jersey welcomed nine new rostered players to start 2021-22:
| Player | Acquired/Previous Team |
| Jonathan Bernier | UFA, Detroit |
| Frederick Gauthier | PTO, Arizona |
| Mason Geertsen | Waivers, NY Rangers |
| Ryan Graves | Trade, Colorado |
| Dougie Hamilton | UFA, Carolina |
| Christian Jaros | Trade, San Jose |
| Dawson Mercer | 2020, 18th overall draft pick |
| Tomas Tatar | UFA, Montreal |
| Jimmy Vesey | PTO, Vancouver |
ANDREAS FAULT
Andreas Johnsson enters tonight’s contest with 6 PTS (3g-3a) in his last two games and owns goals in consecutive contests. The Swedish forward is fresh off his second-career four-point outing (2g-2a) via Sunday vs PHI (last: Feb 4, 2019, vs ANA, 2g-2a).
Johnsson logged a career-high +5 rating on Sunday. The 27-year-old’s +5 and four-point performance are both season-highs for all Devils skaters in 2021-22. The left-handed shot’s +12 rating since Oct. 30th also leads the team.
Additionally, a New Jersey skater hasn’t earned a +5 rating in a game since Feb. 21, 2004, when Patrik Elias, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta were all a +5 in a 7-3 win @ NYR.
BRATTER THAN EVER
After recording no points in the team’s opening five games for 2021-22, forward Jesper Bratt’s 17 PTS (5g-12a) and 12 helpers over the last 14 games since Oct. 30 leads all New Jersey skaters. The Swedish forward’s +11 rating is tied for second on the team with Dawson Mercer.
New Jersey’s 2016, 6th-round draft pick enters tonight’s contest riding a four-game point streak (1g-5a—6PTS). Bratt’s longest career point streak is six games (Mar.16, 2021, to Mar. 25, 2021, 2g-4a—6PTS), Per NHL Pr.
HAMMER OF THOR
Dougie Hamilton not only opened the scoring for New Jersey on Sunday, but the blueliner earned 10 shots on goal for the second time this season.
Hamilton is the only NHL player this season that’s recorded 10-or-more shots in a game twice this season. The 6-foot-6 defenseman’s 10 shots in a game are the second most recorded this season in the NHL (Evan Rodrigues, 12, 11/27/2021 vs MTL).
Hamilton’s 61 shots after 16 games played leads New Jersey, but keep in mind that Hamilton recorded 52 SOG in his opening 16 games played last season with CAR. The offensive threat also logged 10 PTS (1g-9a) after the opening 16 games in 2020-21, compared to 12 PTS (6g-6a) after 16 games for 2021-22.
As of Mon. Nov. 29, Hamilton’s six tallies ranked third for all NHL defensemen.
HE’S BACK
Nate Bastian netted his second goal for the season on Sunday, but it marked his first with the Devils since his return (claimed off waivers from SEA). Hamilton and Michael McLeod earned assists on Bastian’s tally.
MOTOR MIKE
Speaking of McLeod, No. 20 ranked third in the NHL in face-offs at 61.0% (as of Nov. 29). McLeod is utilized in all situations for face-offs, whether it’s the opening face-off or the start of an overtime frame this season.
COACH’S CORNER
“I thought the way we came out in the first (period) was the way ‘we need to play’.” We were on our toes, our defense was involved…When you look at it, it was a game that we really needed against an opponent that was right there with us…You look at the four lines & six ‘D’, I thought it was a good game by everybody.”
– Head Coach Lindy Ruff via Sunday’s postgame
Mackenzie Blackwood improved to 7-0-2 for his NHL career against Philadelphia after Sunday’s win.
TONIGHT’S PLAYER TO WATCH
Nico Hischier is one assist shy from 100 career NHL helpers. Expect the captain to ink his name onto the scoresheet, especially in front of fellow countryman & Sharks’ forward Timo Meier.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
| Player | Needs | Milestone |
| Hischier | 1 assists | 100 |
| 51 games played | 300 | |
| Vesey | 27 games played | 400 |
| Sharangovich | 29 games played | 100 |
| Severson | 12 PTS | 200 |
| Graves | 31 games played | 200 |
| Zacha | 7 assists | 100 |
| Gauthier | 22 games played | 200 |
| Kuokkanen | 19 games played | 100 |
| Bratt | 50 games played | 300 |
| 2 assists | 100 | |
| Subban | 23 games played | 800 |
| Jaros | 15 games played | 100 |
| Hughes | 45 PTS | 100 |
| Tatar | 14 PTS | 400 |
MILESTONES ACHIEVED
| Player | Milestone | Achieved |
| Dawson Mercer | 1st career NHL goal | Oct. 19 vs SEA |
| Colton White | 1st career NHL point | Oct. 19 vs SEA |
| Mason Geertsen | 1st career NHL game | Oct. 19 vs SEA |
| Nico Daws | 1st NHL Win | Oct. 23 vs BUF |
| Alexander Holtz | 1st career NHL game | Nov. 5 at LAK |
| 1st career NHL point | Nov. 9 vs FLA | |
| Mackenzie Blackwood | 100th career NHL start | Nov. 5 at LAK |
| Jonthan Bernier | 400th career game played | Nov. 13 vs BOS |
| Dougie Hamilton | 350th career NHL point | Nov. 14 at NYR |
| Michael McLeod | 100th career NHL game | Nov. 18 at FLA |
| Damon Severson | 500th career NHL game | Nov. 18 at FLA |
| Fabian Zetterlund | 1st career NHL game | Nov. 18 at FLA |
HOW THEY WERE BUILT
In the System:
Nate Bastian (2016, 2nd round, 41st overall)
Mackenzie Blackwood (2015, 2nd round, 42nd overall)
Jesper Boqvist (2017, 2nd round, 36th overall)
Jesper Bratt (2016, 6th round, 162nd overall)
Nico Hischier (2017, 1st round, 1st overall)
Jack Hughes (2019, 1st round, 1st overall)
Michael McLeod (2016, 1st round, 12th overall)
Dawson Mercer (2020, 1st round, 18th overall)
Damon Severson (2012, 2nd round, 60th overall)
Yegor Sharangovich (2018, 5th round, 141st overall)
Ty Smith (2018, 1st round, 17th overall)
Tyce Thompson (2019, 4th round, 96th overall)
Colton White (2015, 4th round, 97th overall)
Miles Wood (2013, 4th round, 100th overall)
Pavel Zacha (2015, 1st round, 6th overall)
UFA: Jonthan Bernier, Dougie Hamilton, Tomas Tatar, Jimmy Vesey
Trade: Ryan Graves, Janne Kuokkanen, Jonas Siegenthaler, P.K. Subban, Chase De Leo
Waivers: Nate Bastain (Re-acquired), Mason Geertsen
UTICA REPORT
New Jersey’s AHL affiliate, Utica Comets, set the AHL record to open a season with a 12-game winning streak & then earned a 13th consecutive win. The team sits in first place for the North Division at 15-1-0-0. Utica plays Belleville on Wed.
(Follow the New Jersey Devils on Twitter @NJDEVILS & visit DevilsMedia.wordpress.com)
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