Metro month rolls on, as the Blue Jackets suit up in the Garden State for a matchup with the New Jersey Devils. The Devils are one of the three teams (along with the Hurricanes and Islanders) sitting between the Blue Jackets and a playoff spot, and with the Jackets bleeding points lately, tonight should absolutely be considered a must-win game.
Matchup:
Columbus Blue Jackets at New Jersey Devils
Prudential Center, 7 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio
What to Watch For:
- Hart Trophy candidate Taylor Hall will be the point of focus for the Blue Jackets defense, as he's one of the fastest and most skilled players in the world. The former first-overall pick leads his club with 62 points in just 54 games.
- The Jackets didn't look great against Philadelphia or Pittsburgh in their last two games, but put up three consecutive 50+ shot games leading up to those. Thanks in large part to that run, the Blue Jackets actually lead the league in shots on goal per game (34.9) – and Devils goalie Cory Schneider hasn't been his usual game-stealing self this season. Look for the Jackets to pound pucks on net again tonight.
- Welcome back, Ryan Murray! The Blue Jackets defenseman is back in the lineup after missing more than 30 games this season, although his cohort Markus Nutivaara will miss tonight's action with an upper body injury.
Tale of the Tape:
Devils
31-20-8 / 4th in Metropolitan Division
PP: 19.3% (19th) / PK: 81.7% (12th)
5v5 Corsi: 48.77% (20th)
Blue Jackets
29-25-5 / 7th in Metropolitan Division
PP: 14.5% (31st) / PK: 75.8% (27th)
5v5 Corsi: 51.80% (7th)
