New Jersey Devils

Hoping to regroup and improve on their defeat on Sunday, the New Jersey Devils head over to First Niagra Center to do battle with the Sabres.

New Jersey Devils (15-11-4, 34 points: 4th place in Metropolitan Division)
Buffalo Sabres (13-15-3, 30 points: 7th place in Atlantic Division)
Today, 7:00 PM on MSGB, MS+2
First Niagara Center, Buffalo, New York

By Patrick Comia

It’s bounce back time for the New Jersey Devils when they take on the Buffalo Sabres tonight.

After a thrashing from the New York Islanders on Sunday, it will be interesting to see how the team responds.

It was the first time this season New Jersey was shutout and want to keep it that way.

Read More About Last Game: Humbling Loss In Brooklyn For New Jersey Devils

There is good news on the injury front. The Devils will welcome back Adam Henrique back into the lineup for tonight’s tilt.

It should help with the strain of the players having to fill in, while he missed the past two games with a lower-body injury.

His presence on the ice was felt on Sunday, as the Devils looked out-muscled up-front. It would have been nice to see a John Tavares-Henrique showdown, and see if he could corral the Islanders captain.

The important thing is “Rico” is back. A bit of normalcy has returned to the Devils that is needed to keep in contention in the Metropolitan Division.

According to NHL.com, the following lineup changes are in store from head coach John Hynes:

forward Stefan Matteau will be scratched. Rookie forward Joseph Blandisi will move to left wing on a line with Jacob Josefson and Palmieri and Jiri Tlusty will play left wing on a line with Stephen Gionta and Jordin Tootoo.

The headline heading into this game at the beginning of the season was the anticipation of Jack Eichel. However, he has taken a backseat to his fellow teammate and offseason acquisition from the Colorado Avalanche, Ryan O’Reilly.

Currently, he is riding a eight-game point streak, while leading the Sabres in the three major offensive categories: goals (11), assists (17), and points (28).

In O’Reilly’s last five games, he’s scored seven points (three goals, four assists).

The game sets up well for the Devils, who are looking to bounce back from an embarrassing loss in Brooklyn. Look for Coach Hynes to get his players fired up, as they try and reaffirm their position in the Division.

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I'm a blogger trying to make it in this world. Have been, and always will be, a fan of the NYR and NYG. Writing for the New Jersey Devils cause, well, someone has to do it!