NHL Tampa Bay Lightning Vs New Jersey Devils - Game Day Preview
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NHL Tampa Bay Lightning Vs New Jersey Devils – Game Day Preview

An NHL Tampa Bay Lightning Vs New Jersey Devils game day preview.  For this preview it is important to note that the Devils are building off of their thrilling overtime victory last night in Pittsburgh.  They are return home from a six-game road trip to take on Tampa Bay.  The Lightning (51-19-4), currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference with 106 points.  They are 12-2-1 in their last 15 games and are riding a three-game winning streak.  New Jersey (38-28-8) is 5-5-0 in their last 10 and has an 18-14-3 record at home. The Bolts have a record of 24-11-2 away from Amalie Arena.

The Lightning are looking to secure the first seed in the playoff picture.  New Jersey is trying to maintain a three point lead on the final wildcard spot.  Tonight’s match-up could have extra significance, too. If nothing changes in the standings before the conclusion of the regular season, the Devils would face the Lightning in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There is a very real possibility that this will not be the final time these two teams meet this season, so expect both teams to come out with their best this evening to feel each other out and attempt to exploit weaknesses in the oppositions’ system.

This game promises to a be fast-paced, high-action event with a lot of skill. New Jersey will have to be at their best if they want to walk away with two points.

Tampa Bay Lightning Vs New Jersey Devils Lines

For New Jersey:

Taylor Hall – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt
Michael Grabner – Pavel Zacha – Kyle Palmieri
Brian Gibbons – Travis Zajac – Drew Stafford
Pat Maroon – Brian Boyle – Blake Coleman

Andy Greene – Sami Vatanen
John Moore – Damon Severson
Will Butcher – Ben Lovejoy

Cory Schneider

For the Lightning:

JT Miller – Steven Stamkos – Nikita Kucherov
Ondrej Palat – Brayden Point – Tyler Johnson
Alex Killorn – Anthony Cirelli – Yanni Gourde
Chris Kunitz – Cedric Paquette – Adam Erne

Victory Hedman – Anton Stralman
Ryan McDonagh – Dan Girardi
Braydon Coburn – Mikhail Sergachev

Andrei Vasilevskiy

Tampa Bay Lightning Vs New Jersey Devils Players To Watch

Cory Schneider… The Devils’ netminder has been struggling as of late, not having won a game since December. Schneider will be tested early and often, and he will need to be his old self if he wants to help the Devils steal two points. If New Jersey has any hopes of making noise in the playoffs, Schneider has to get on his game and that needs to happen tonight. No more excuses. If he can’t right the ship tonight, it may be Keith Kinkaid’s net for the remainder of the season and the playoffs.

Nikita Kucherov… This man has been a menace all season long. He’s got 37 goals and 58 assists on the year, good for a whopping 95 points. He’s a danger any time the puck is on his stick and the Devils defenders are going to have their hands full trying to keep Kucherov and Steven Stamkos contained.

StatementGames Tampa Bay Lightning Vs New Jersey Devils Fantasy Hockey Predictions

It’ll be a very fast-paced game with both teams having the speed and skill to rush the puck up ice and generate quality scoring chances on a whim. New Jersey will be playing desperate and will throw everything they have left in the tank into this game. I predict a 5-4 overtime victory for the Devils.

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Taylor Hall + Nico Hischier OVER 1.5 Combined PTS

Sami Vatanen Will Play OVER 22.33 Minutes

Where To Watch:

Tonight’s game starts shortly after 7:00pm and can be seen on MSG+2 and SUN Sports.

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