DEVILS (27-42-7) vs. BUFFALO SABRES (29-38-11)
TV: 7:00 p.m. ET; Televised on MSG+
Head-to-Head
The Devils and Sabres meet for the third and final time this season. New Jersey has netted victories in both of the previous matchups: 2-1, Oct. 23; 4-3, Dec. 29.
Devils team scope:
New Jersey returns home following a successful season-long five-game road trip that saw the club go 3-1-1, including victories against playoff aspirationals Dallas and Vegas.
Captain Nico Hischier led the Devils during the road swing in assists (5) and points (6) while Jesper Boqvist had a team-high three goals.
Goaltender Andrew Hammond earned his first victory with New Jersey after stopping 42 of 44 shots by Vegas in a 3-2 win. The 42 saves were just one shy of tying a career high.
Sabres team scope:
The Buffalo Sabres finished the 2020-21 season with the worst record in the NHL by six points and gained only 15 victories. The team has been much more competitive this year, jumping to 24th. A nice improvement but still a work in progress.
Buffalo added to its talent pool a week ago when defenseman Owen Power, the No. 1-overall pick in last year's draft, signed with the club following the conclusion of his sophomore season with Michigan. He has appeared in four games, picking up one assist.
Forward Tage Thompson, the older brother of Devils' prospect Tyce, has been a breakout star, leading the team with 36 goals and 63 points in 74 games. Thompson had 18 goals total in 145 games prior to this season. Jeff Skinner has had a bounce back year, notching 31 goals after scoring just 21 in the previous two years combined.
By the Numbers:
Devils head coach Lindy Ruff is tied (Al Arbour) for fifth place in the NHL's all-time wins column for a head coach at 782. With is next victory, Ruff will move into sole possession of fifth place.
Forty-year-old goaltender Craig Anderson, who recently played in his 300th career NHL game, leads the team with a 16-12-2 record. A neck injury earlier in the season had him contemplating retirement, but he underwent rehab to hit the 300-game mark.
Injury Updates:
Devils
Blackwood (heel - IR)
Bernier (hip - IR)
Graves (chin)
Hughes (MCL sprain)
Vesey (left leg)
Siegenthaler (broken hand)
Wood (hip)
Sabres
Subban (upper-body)
Caggiula (back)
Oglevie (undisclosed)