NEW JERSEY DEVILS (24-11-3) vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES (21-13-1)

New Jersey opens their longest road trip of the season, completing a back-to-back set against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina.

You can watch on MSGSN 2 or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

Read below for your game preview and our pre-game story. Tonight's game is presented by Diversified Rack and Shelving

PRE-GAME AVAIL RECAP

RALEIGH, NC - Coming off a win on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Devils will be making a couple of lineup changes.

The first one will see Curtis Lazar reinserted into the lineup. Lazar injured his knee on October 27 in a game against Anaheim. He returned ahead of schedule on December 17 but had to go back on the shelf due to swelling. Keefe noted that the swelling wasn't directly related to the injury he had, but more the knee brace he was wearing for it.

"He's full go," Keefe said of Lazar. "They've got to the bottom of what happened last time and it's not really related to previous injury, just discomfort with the brace he was wearing. They've adjusted it, he's adjusted to it and he's expected to be full go."

With it being a back-to-back game, Jake Allen will draw back in. While it's difficult to take out a red hot Jacob Markstrom, who has a .945 save percentage and 1.11 goals-against average plus a record of 8-0-1 in the month of December, a veteran goalie like Allen will help the team's number one rest up with four more games and a lot of travel ahead on this road trip.

"We've got to be really efficient in that area. We have two veteran guys who are confident," said Keefe, also mentioning that both goaltenders handle the puck well and that's been a big benefit for the club.

"It's helpful, for sure. We've spent a fair bit of time on it in our morning skates. It's an important factor against this Carolina team and the forechecks they do, get the puck in good spots and help us get out of the pressure."

MANAGE THE PRESSURE

Keefe added that the Hurricanes are a tough team to play against in general because of the way they attack.

"My message, anytime playing Carolina is you've got to manage the pressure, got to play to the scoreboard and not focus on shots on goal and territory. They're going to generally get the edge in and you can't focus on that.

"You've got to weather it, if you will, and find your way through it. Recognize it's a 60 minute game and ride the waves as they come."

Keefe added that he feels it's advantageous for both clubs to play the same team twice coming out of a short holiday break.

"It's nice. It's a little easier to prepare that way. You focus on the first game and then make your adjustments and focus points. Otherwise, you're not focusing on the previous game you played but also playing new opponents. Then throw in the division aspect and quality of opponent."

THE SCOOP

The Devils open their road trip in Carolina one day after defeating these same Hurricanes 4-2 at Prudential Center. After tonight's game, the road trip will take the team to Anaheim, L.A., San Jose and Seattle with a total of five games in 12 days.

The Devils expect a better game against the Hurricanes after both teams were rusty coming off the three-day holiday break.

"They're a really good home team," said Luke Hughes. "They're probably going to be better tomorrow. We've got to shape up a little bit in our D zone. Marky's been big for us. We need to get more O zone time."

Carolina is 13-4-0 at home (as opposed to 8-9-1 on the road). However, overall they're 5-5-0 in their last 10 games and have lost two in a row. The Hurricanes entered the holiday break off a 5-2 loss to the Predators in Nashville and were backstopped by Dustin Tokarski, who was appearing in just his second game with Carolina. He made 20 saves on 24 shots. He is a possibility to start tonight after Pyotr Kochetkov played on Friday at Prudential Center.

Carolina sits third in the Metropolitan Division with 43 points, eight back of the Devils with three games in hand. They're six points up on the fourth-place Pittsburgh Penguins and have a game in hand on them as well.

The Devils are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and are coming off a home-heavy December schedule that saw them go 6-1-1 in eight games at Prudential Center.

WHO’S HOT

Devils: Luke Hughes has really picked up his offensive game. In his last 13 games, he has three goals and 13 points. He's picked up at least a point in five of his last six with two goals and six assists for eight points in that time.

Hurricanes: Forward Sebastian Aho was on a five-game point streak with four goals and two assists before being held off the scoresheet without a shot but will most likely return to his dangerous self tonight. He has 11 goals and 25 assists so far this season.

INJURIES

Devils: Lazar (knee), Hatakka (shoulder, IR)

Hurricanes: Drury (hand)

REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS

• Oct. 15 at Carolina, 4-2 L
• Nov. 21 vs Carolina, 4-2 W
• Dec. 27 vs Carolina, 4-2 W
• Dec. 28 at Carolina

GAME NOTES

• The Devils set a net NHL record of seven straight games, allowing 20 or fewer shots against but had it snapped on Friday when the Hurricanes fired 31. Carolina averages 31.7 shots per game this season, second-most in the league and they were right on target Friday.
• The Carolina Hurricanes have the league's second-most effective penalty kill, defending at an 85.5 percent clip. The Devils have the league's second-best power play with a 31.2 percent success rate.
• On Friday, neither team had a chance to use it as the Devils did not have a power play for the first time this season. They've now had one power play or less in three of their last four games.