It was the second straight game at Prudential Center where the Devils were held without a goal (also; Jan. 22 vs. DET, 0-3 L). They have been shutout five times overall this season.
At the NHL All-Star Break, the Devils are 24-16-8 (56PTS), and hold the first wildcard position in the Eastern Conference.
Forward Kevin Rooney was recalled from Binghamton (AHL) that afternoon and made his NHL season-debut. He had three shots on net in 11:46. Rooney was assigned back to the B-Devils on Jan. 26.
Goaltender Ken Appleby started in goal for the first time in his NHL career. He stopped 24 of 27 shots. He appeared in two games this season, in relief of Keith Kinkaid and Cory Schneider, on Jan. 20 at PHI and Jan. 23 at BOS, respectively. In three games at the NHL level he is 0-1-0 with a 1.45 GAA and a .945 save-percentage.
G Mackenzie Blackwood was also recalled that day from Binghamton to serve as the back-up. Cory Schneider did not dress due the groin injury (day-to-day), suffered on Jan. 23 at BOS.
The club placed Marcus Johansson on I.R. (concussion), retroactive to Jan. 23 that afternoon.
TONIGHT @ BUFFALO SABRES
Tonight is the third and final meeting between the Devils and Sabres this season and the second match held at KeyBank Center. New Jersey is 1-0-1 (3PTS) vs. Buffalo this season; Oct. 9 @ BUF, 6-2 W and Dec. 29 @ NJD, 3-4 Lo. Tonight is also the club's final game this month. They are 2-6-2=6PTS in January, which is the lowest monthly point-total in the 2017-18 season.
Marcus Johansson (IR, concussion) leads New Jersey with 4PTS (3G-1A) against the Sabres this season. Jesper Bratt, 2G-1A, and Brian Gibbons (IR, broken right thumb), 1G-2A, each have 3PTS.
Keith Kinkaid is expected to make the start in goal, his first since suffering a groin injury, Jan. 20 at Philadelphia. He is 2-0-0 with a 1.00 and a .964 save-percentage in his career.
Former Buffalo Sabre, Drew Stafford (2006-15) has 1G-1A-2PTS in three career games against his former club. Miles Wood's father Randy Wood played for the Sabres from 1991-94, totaling 60G-57A-117PTS in 236 regular-season GP.
The Devils are 5-0-0 on the road, 9-1-1 overall, vs. Buffalo since the 2014-15 season. They are 8-3-4 (4-1-2 road) vs. the Atlantic Division and are 13-9-5 (7-4-3 road) vs. all Eastern Conference teams in 2017-18.
