The season started so promisingly for the New Jersey Devils. They were 9-3-3 and didn't suffer a regulation home loss until Dec. 9, a sign that they may have been ready to improve on last season's middling results.
But as they welcome the Boston Bruins to Prudential Center on Monday to start 2017, the Devils have lost 10 of 12 and are coming off a 6-2 blowout loss to the Washington Capitals at home.
PREVIEW
Tonight's Officials
Referees Graham Skilliter (24), Kyle Rehman (10)
Linesmen Vaughan Rody (73), Trent Knorr (63)
Ntl. Anthem Sarah Lepre
WAYBACK MACHINE
TONIGHT’S GAME
The Bruins visit the Devils tonight in the 2nd of 3 games between these teams and the Bruins’ lone visit of the season to Prudential Center … The Bruins are 20-15-4 thus far this season with an 11-6-4 mark on the road … They are 4-4-4 vs. Metropolitan Division
opponents and are 15-9-4 vs. Eastern Conference teams this season.
The Bruins open their 2017 schedule tonight … They finished the 2016 calendar year with a 41-35-9 record in 85 games played.
BOSTON vs NEW JERSEY, LIFETIME SERIES
The Bruins and Devils are meeting for the 151st time in their histories (includes New Jersey in Kansas City & Colorado) with the Bruins having an 81-40-19-10 record and 502-399 scoring advantage in those games.
The Bruins are 37-21-11-4 in their 73 road games of this lifetime series with a 226-181 scoring edge in those contests.
The Bruins are 6-1-0 in their last 7 games vs. New Jersey, including a 2-1 win in Boston on 10/20 in the 1st game of this season’s series, and they are 18-4-0 in their last 22 games overall vs. the Devils … They are 6-2-0 in their last 8 games in New Jersey.
Fun Fact: The Bruins are 29-20-6-4 vs. the Devils since they relocated to New Jersey in 1982 … 12 of the last 14 games between these teams have been decided by 2 goals or less, including 10 1-goal decisions.
INJURIES (105 total man-games lost)
David Backes – Concussion; Has missed 1 game
Matt Beleskey – Right knee; 6 wks from time of 12/3 injury; Has missed 14 games (IR)
John-Michael Liles – Concussion; Has missed 17 games (IR)
MILESTONES APPROACHING
Jimmy Hayes is 2 points short of his 100th NHL point.
Ryan Spooner is 3 points shy of his 100th NHL point.
David Krejci is 4 points short of his 500th NHL point.
Dominic Moore is 3 goals shy of his 100th NHL goal.
JANUARY BIRTHDAY
30 – Ryan Spooner will turn 25
https://link.nhl.com/static/gamenotes/public/20162017/[email protected]?1483366649000
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Tickets were cheap.
