Taylor Hall NJD-BUF

DEVILS (24-16-8) at SABRES (14-26-9)
7 p.m. ET; MSG-B, MSG+ 2, NHL.TV

Hall missed the past three games with a thumb injury that also forced him to sit out the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game in Tampa, where he was replaced by teammate Brian Boyle.
Goalie Keith Kinkaid will start for New Jersey after he missed the past three games with a groin injury. Defenseman Mirco Mueller will play for the first time since Nov. 12 after recovering from a broken clavicle. They were activated off injured reserve Tuesday.
Robin Lehner, the NHL's Third Star of the Week, will start for the Sabres, who've won three in a row. He had back-to-back shutouts on the road against the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks last week.

Players to watch

Devils right wing Jesper Bratt has three points (two goals, one assist) in two games against the Sabres this season.
Sabres center Jack Eichel was the NHL Second Star of the Week with five points (two goals, three assists) in three games. He has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in his past eight games.

They said it

"I'm not going to be perfect out there, it's been a while since I played consecutive games and, really, consecutive days to be honest. I'm just looking forward to hopefully adding some speed to our game and help out on the special teams. It's a big game for us. We want to get back on track right after the break and put together a streak of games where we can say we got some points and we played well." -- Devils foward Taylor Hall
"I've been playing with a lot of confidence here and trying to create. I feel like every time I'm on the ice I can make a difference, and when you get into that sort of groove I think things start going your way. Whenever you're getting rewarded statistically and you feel like you're playing well I think things are a lot easier for you."-- Sabres center Jack Eichel

Devils projected lineup
Sabres projected lineup
Status update

The Devils will dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen. ... Boyle did not skate on Tuesday but will play. ... Beaulieu resumed practice on Monday and skated again Tuesday after he was injured Jan. 22.

Stat pack

The Devils are 5-0-0 on the road and 9-1-1 overall against Buffalo since the 2014-15 season. ... Ristolainen has six points (one goal, five assists) during a five-game point streak.