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Game 73 Preview: Jackets Make Rare Visit to New Jersey

The Jackets will play at the new Prudential Center for the first time tonight, as they pay a visit to the Devils. The Jackets are playing out the string, while the Devils are battling with division rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins for top spot in the Atlantic.

This game has the makings of a snooze-fest. It’s no secret the Devils are one of, if not the most boring team to watch in the NHL. That’s with the electrifying Ilya Kovalchuk in the lineup. I just can’t see him re-signing there after this season. That said, they are a good team. They play air-tight and have the scoring to get by. Parise is a great talent- he will be the face of the team when Marty calls it a career.

No major lineup changes tonight, outside of the addition of Grant Clitsome from Syracuse. He’ll likely slide into the lineup beside Anton Stralman, and will push Paetsch to the press box.

Fearless Prediction: Mason puts on a good show while facing his boyhood idol Marty Brodeur.

Game Time: 7:00pm ET

Opponent’s Blog: In Lou We Trust

Game Page: Blue Jackets vs Devils coverage

TSN Preview: Blue Jackets vs Devils preview

TV: FSN

Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)

More after the jump…

From the Columbus Dispatch:

Interim coach Claude Noel said the Blue Jackets gave their best effort under him in Saturday’s 1-0 overtime loss in Nashville. New Jersey is trying to catch Pittsburgh for the Atlantic Division lead and secure a No.2 overall seeding in the East. The Devils are 7-2-1 in their past 10 home games. They beat the Jackets 2-1 last season in Nationwide Arena.

Jackets Links:

Columbus Blue Jackets / Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule

Columbus Blue Jackets Roster / Columbus Blue Jackets Stats

Here are the lineups for tonight’s tilt:

Columbus Blue Jackets

Kristian Huselius
Antoine Vermette Rick Nash
R.J. Umberger Derick Brassard Jakub Voracek
Andrew Murray Samuel Pahlsson
Chris Clark
Derek Dorsett
Michael Blunden Jared Boll

Fedor Tyutin Marc Methot
Mike Commodore
Kris Russell
Grant Clitsome
Anton Stralman

Steve Mason
Mathieu Garon

EXTRA: Nathan Paetsch

INJURED/SICK: Derek MacKenzie, Jan Hejda, Rostislav Klesla

New Jersey Devils

Zach Parise
Travis Zajac Jamie Langenbrunner
Ilya Kovalchuk
Patrick Elias Brian Rolston
Dainius Zubrus
Rob Niedermayer David Clarkson
P.L. Letourneau-Leblond
Dean McAmmond
Rod Pelley

Bryce Salvador Paul Martin
MIke Mottau
Colin White
Andy Greene Martin Skoula

Martin Brodeur
Yann Danis