Devils Return Home to Face Boston | PREVIEW

New Jersey returns home from a four-game road trip to host the Boston Bruins Wednesday night at Prudential Center. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. ET.

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

Read below for your game preview and pre-game story below.

PRE-GAME STORY

NEWARK, NJ – The Devils held a morning skate Wednesday ahead of facing the Boston Bruins.

The club had full participation at the skate, including Erik Haula, who missed the team’s previous game at Edmonton with an upper-body injury but skated on Tuesday, and Curtis Lazar, who left halfway through Tuesday’s practice and did not return.

Haula and Lazar worked in line rushes and fully participated in the morning skate, meaning they will likely play in the game tonight.

“It looks like (Haula) will be able to go,” head coach Lindy Ruff said. “It’s good to have him back.”

For Lazar, he left practice after taking a puck to the face. He’s sporting a new gash on his nose as a result.

“It doesn’t really change much. I’ve always had a face for radio,” Lazar joked. “It’s just another day for me.”

Workflow…

The Devils used the following workflow during the morning skate.

Palat – Hischier – Bratt
Toffoli – Hughes – Meier
Haula – Mercer – Holtz
Lazar – McLeod – Bastian

Siegenthaler – Nemec
Bahl – Marino
Hughes – Miller

Vanecek

Consistent Bruins

The Bruins have been the model of consistency for a franchise. For well over a decade, the club has been a Stanley Cup contender, and has forged an identity regardless of the amount of roster turnover over the years.

“They all buy into the system for a lot of years. Everybody buys in there,” Devils captain Nico Hischier said. “Everybody does his job. They’re a good team.”

The Bruins have maintained their level of dominance despite losing some incredible players throughout the years, including the recent retirement of Patrice Bergeron.

Lazar, who played for the Bruins from 2020-2021, saw firsthand the culture in the locker room.

“It starts with that culture within the dressing. The guys that moved on have helped out that next generation of guys,” Lazar said. “What everyone marvels at the Bruins is they play the same way consistently. It’s hard to get them on a game that they’re off. You’ve got to play you’re a game every night to have a chance to beat them.”

The Devils are hoping to build the same in New Jersey, particulary with Hischier as the captain.

“When you have a young captain that plays on both sides of the puck, defends and is an offensive guy,” Ruff said. “He’s like a Bergeron. He doesn’t have the years of experience yet but he’s much like him as a player.”

PREVIEW

DEVILS (14-11-1) vs. BRUINS (18-5-3)

Head-to-Head

The Devils and Bruins meet for the first time this season. The two clubs squared off three times last season with Boston sweeping the series, including two games at Prudential Center.

Nico Hischier (1g-2a) and Tomas Tatar (1g-2a) led the Devils in scoring. Former Devil Pavel Zacha (3g-1a) and David Pastrnak (2g-2a) led the Bruins with four points each. Goalie Linus Ullmark went 3-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .950 save percentage.

Devils Team Scope:

The Devils return after a highly successful four-game road trip. The team went 3-1 on the swing with wins at Vancouver, Seattle and Calgary. The only blemish was a 4-1 loss to Edmonton in the final game on Sunday.

Jack Hughes continues to lead the way offensively with 33 points on the season. However, he’s been held off the scoresheet for the past three games. Jesper Bratt is tied for the team lead with 12 goals while his 32 points ranks second on the club. He’s riding a five-game scoring streak for seven points (4g-3a). Tyler Toffoli is also atop the goal scorers board with 12.

Bruins Team Scope:

No Patrice Bergeron, no problem for the Boston Bruins. Though they aren’t on their pace of 65 wins and 135 points (both NHL records), they sit atop the Atlantic Division despite the retirement of their captain.

David Pastrnak leads the team with 16 goals and 39 points. He’s followed by Brad Marchand’s 12 goals and 25 points. The Bruins will be without former Devil Pavel Zacha and defenseman Charlie McAvoy, both ruled out with upper-body injuries. The Bruins recalled Jesper Boqvist, a former Devil, for the game.

The strength of the Bruins is, and always has been, in their defense and goaltending. Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark still split duties in the crease, and have helped Boston to the third-best goals-against average in the entire NHL.

By the Numbers:

The Devils have not converted a power-play goal in the last three games (0 for 9). It’s the longest stretch of the season.

Center Michael McLeod ranks 2^nd in the NHL with a 63-percent face-off conversion. The Devils overall rank No. 5 in the league as a team.

Head coach Lindy Ruff is one win from tying Ken Hitchcock (849) for fourth place on the NHL’s all-time wins list.

Injuries:

Devils

Haula (upper-body)
Nosek (right foot)
Hamilton (torn left pectoral muscle)

Bruins

Zacha (upper-body)
McAvoy (upper-body)
Forbort (undisclosed)