Devils Host Canucks on API Night | PREVIEW

New Jersey wraps up their short two game, two day home stand against the Vancouver Canucks on Asian and Pacific Islanders Heritage Night.

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

Read below for your game preview with the pre-game story to come a few hours before the game.

PRE-GAME STORY

The Hughes Brothers rematch will not, to the dismay of everyone, take place after all. Jack Hughes suffered an upper-body injury against Chicago Friday night and will not suit up against the Vancouver Canucks and brother Quinn this evening.

While it still leaves Luke and Quinn going against each other, losing Jack will certainly hurt the Devils on the ice.

Debut

With Jack Hughes out, the Devils will insert forward Graeme Clarke into the lineup. He’ll be making his NHL debut this evening.

“It’s an opportunity for a lot of people. When you take a big piece out of your lineup other players will get a bigger role inside the power play. For Graeme it’s a great opportunity to get this first NHL game. For other players you get a chance to seat up and get a little more ice time.”

Clarke, 22, has 11 goals and 21 points in 27 games with Utica this season.

“His offensive abilities to hang onto pucks and make plays,” Ruff said of Clarke’s attributes. “Knowing that things happen a lot quicker here. Players he’s playing against will be faster and stronger. You’ll have to up your pace in a hurry.”

Timo IR

The Devils place Timo Meier on the Injured Reserve List, retroactive to Dec. 30, with a mid-body injury. The purpose to recall Max Willman from the American Hockey League to have an extra body at forward.

“He’s still on the same timeline, progressing,” Ruff said of Meier. “It’s really just a roster spot we’re looking at.”

Respond

The Devils are coming off a such an emotional game in their 4-2 victory against Chicago. Tonight, they hope to carry some of that emotion over.

“You can either have a letdown or you can build off it,” Ruff said. “It was a game that can galvanize your team, bring them closer. Everybody had to be all for yourself and all in for your teammates.

“The one last night is behind us. We’ll use part of that recipe for the game tonight.”

--Sam Kasan, Devils Beat Reporter

PREVIEW

DEVILS (20-14-2) vs. CANUCKS (24-11-3)

Head-to-Head

This is the second of two meetings between these clubs this season. The Devils won a wild game last month in Vancouver, 6-5. Vancouver rallied from down 5-2 to tie it but Jesper Bratt scored late in regulation to put the Devils back in front for good. Bratt had a pair and Jack Hughes had a goal and three points in the first-ever meeting of all three Hughes brothers in one NHL game. Luke Hughes also scored while Quinn Hughes had two assists.

Last season, the Devils won both meetings. On November 1, New Jersey topped Vancouver 5-2 at Rogers Arena and on February 6, the Devils won 5-4 in overtime.

In two games, Jack Hughes led the way for the Devils with three goals and five points. J.T. Miller had three assists in two contests to pace the Canucks.

Devils Team Scope:

The Devils have won their last two and five of their last six to move into the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They're two points behind the Islanders with one game in hand and four points back of the Hurricanes with two games in hand in the Metropolitan Division.

After tonight, the Devils don't play again until January 11 when they open a tough three-game road trip against Tampa Bay, Florida and Boston.

Jack Hughes continues to lead the Devils with 45 points in 31 games this season. Jesper Bratt is second on the club with 43 points in 36 contests. Hughes' injury at the end of the game in Chicago could result in fans being denied a matchup of all three Hughes brothers.

Canucks Team Scope:

Vancouver is having an outstanding season. They rank fifth overall in the entire NHL and first in the Pacific Division.

J.T. Miller leads the club in scoring with 16 goals and 50 points which ranks seventh in the NHL. Jack's brother, Quinn, has 46 points to rank second on the Canucks and first among NHL defensemen.

By the Numbers:

After another comeback win on Friday against Chicago, the Devils increased their league lead to 14 comeback wins on the season. Last season, the Devils had 26 comeback wins which was a franchise record and led the NHL ... Vancouver is 14 points ahead of its pace in each of the last two seasons.

Devils are 12-12-1 when trailing first in a game and 8-2-1 when scoring first. They are 8-1-0 in the first game of back-to-backs and 1-6-1 in the second game. Last season, the Devils were 9-3-0 in the second half of back-to-backs.

Injuries:

Devils

Hamilton (pectoral muscle - IR)
Nosek (foot - IR)
Palat (lower body)
Meier (mid body)

Canucks

Di Giuseppe (undisclosed)
Soucy (lower body - IR)
Brisebois (undisclosed - IR)
Poolman (head)