All About The Jersey - New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets: Game Stream #9A world class blog for Jersey's team: the New Jersey Devilshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47083/lou-fave.png2013-10-22T22:55:12-04:00http://www.allaboutthejersey.com/rss/stream/46285672013-10-22T22:55:12-04:002013-10-22T22:55:12-04:00Devils Go Back to Losing Ways in 4-1 Loss to C-Bus
<figure>
<img alt="This game was a mess for the Devils. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MAWOX4_Hy3dQ4eC7d378ki9eOTQ=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21610431/20131022_pjc_ay4_117.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>This game was a mess for the Devils. | Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sport</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The New Jersey Devils visited the Columbus Blue Jackets and played a second-rate game, losing deservedly by a 4-1 score. This recap goes over how bad it was, praises the home team, and has additional observations.</p> <p>I believe not all losses are created equal. Sure, they may be disappointing all the same. Who wants to lose, much less stand for it? But I can deal with a loss where the other team's goalie got bombarded with shots all over the place but he just stopped everything. I can deal with a loss where the other team got ahead on a fluky play. They may be frustrating but that happens and one just has to deal with it. What really bothers me are the losses where the team doesn't seem to get the basics right. They look second-rate in all three zones. They squander opportunities. They can't even string three passes in a row, much less create a good shot on net. It makes me wonder whether the players, coaches, and even management sees the same thing I do and why it continues throughout a game. A bad period is one thing. A bad sixty-minute effort is another. I can never get comfortable with it, to say the least.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Jersey Devils</a> had one of those nights in Columbus. They deservedly lost 4-1 to the <a href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Columbus Blue Jackets</a>. It started off 1-0 and then Columbus found ways to equalize, go ahead, and then add an insurance goal to put the game out of reach. As the score increased in favor of the home team, the Devils' decreased Adding insult to negative result, this comes after the team's first and only win of the season. It begs the question. Were the Devils on Saturday a true representation of the team or was it this, the same team that flopped in Columbus, Winnipeg, and Vancouver before hand? I really hope it's not the latter. Otherwise, we're going to see a lot more losses before things get better.</p>
<p>Full credit needs to be given to the Blue Jackets. They played a great game. They didn't get caught out of position often. They didn't give up two-on-ones off a botched pass, a turnover, or a blocked shot. They played up on the Devils and their pressure worked at both ends. They made the Devils pay for their mistakes. Their penalty kill got torched once and only once but otherwise held New Jersey's punchless power play to a mere three shots on net out of four opportunities. Whatever did get through was cleaned up by <span>Sergei Bobrovsky</span>. Even with a solid lead late in the game, they didn't relent and even forced the Devils back to defend. Columbus played a great game. I do not want to disrespect the opposition by not highlighting that. So there it is. Blast your cannon with beaming smiles, Jacket fans.</p>
<p>The hard part about this is that it didn't have to go this way. If only <span>Peter Harrold</span> didn't fire an outlet pass to <span>Andrei Loktionov</span> like he was shooting a puck, then perhaps the puck doesn't go off Loktionov's stick and right to <span>James Wisniewski</span> who rifled a shot that got in (and possibly off Mark Fayne's stick), making it 3-1. If only <span>Mattias Tedenby</span> didn't make a blind clearing attempt that ended with <span>Cam Atkinson</span> firing a hard backhand from the high slot, which made it 2-1. If only <span>Cory Schneider</span> got those last two goals allowed. If only <span>Jaromir Jagr</span> didn't try to give a reverse headlock <span>Jack Johnson</span>, then perhaps there's no power play that ended with <span>Brandon Dubinsky</span> slam a rebound off R.J. Umberger's skate to make it 1-1. If only <span>Dainius Zubrus</span> didn't take a stupid call late in the second by gloving the puck off a faceoff - the same call that caught <span>Dominic Moore</span> on Saturday - then the Devils don't have to start a third down a man. If only the skaters in general could string three passes together. If only more of those 49 attempts on net actually got on net. If only the Devils could even control the puck better with six skaters instead of losing the zone easily and ultimately giving up an ENG to <span>Marian Gaborik</span>. I could go on and on. But it did and the Devils remain winless on the road. The worst part is that they utterly deserved it, building absolutely nothing on top of their best performance on Saturday. This loss was very discomforting.</p>
<p><b>The Game Stats: </b><a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/GS020131.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Game Summary</a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/ES020131.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Event Summary</a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/SS020131.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Shot Summary</a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/PL020131.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Play by Play Log</a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/TV020131.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Devils Time on Ice Report</a> | <a href="http://www.extraskater.com/game/2013-10-22-devils-blue-jackets" target="_blank">Extra Skater Game Stats</a></p>
<p><b>The Opposition Opinion: </b>It's not up yet, but <a href="http://www.jacketscannon.com/">The Cannon</a> will have something up, probably something positive since their team played a good, solid game.</p>
<p><b>The Game Highlights: </b>There sure were some highlights. Here they are from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com">NHL.com</a>:</p>
<p align="center"><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020131-X-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></p>
<p><b>You Know Who Was Missing?: </b>I normally don't believe that one or two different men would have changed the team's fortunes tonight. Most of the team was horrid at moving the puck. However, I would like to think the Devils' own efforts would have been improved with <span>Patrik Elias</span>. He's been sick, <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/brunner_ready_to_play_tonight_in_columbus_elias_remains_in_nj_but_feeling_better/" target="_blank">he'll be back in practice tomorrow</a>, and he's a difference maker. Tonight, the following forwards had more than one shot on net: <span>Michael Ryder</span> (5), <span>Travis Zajac</span> (3), <span>Rostislav Olesz</span> (3), and Jaromir Jagr (2). (Not coincidentally, these forwards looked better than the rest.) Having Elias involved would have moved someone down a bit but also could have helped them out. From an attempts standpoint, the top two lines did OK but I felt they could have done more, especially in the third period. The third (Loktionov unit) and fourth (CBGB) lines produced very, very little from any standpoint. The power play that put up a whopping three shots on net needed someone to control play and perhaps put a few shots on net. Elias could have even helped on the penalty kill, who got swarmed a few times during Columbus' three man advantages. I'll be happy when Elias is back. Though, I'll be happier when everyone gets on the same page.</p>
<p><b>By the By: </b><span>Damien Brunner</span> played tonight, apparently. Could have fooled me. He had one shot on net out of three attempts in 11:13 of ice time, the second fewest amount of ice time on the Devils tonight. I wonder if he's still smarting from his minor injury because he was a total non-factor tonight.</p>
<p><b>Albany Awaits: </b>Maybe I'm overreacting but that blind clearance by Tedenby that led to Atkinson's goal is the sort of thing that punches a ticket back to the minors. Especially since he brought little to the table. Of course, that may not happen until Clowe's healthy; but I think it's another chance left wanting.</p>
<p><b>No Captain: </b>One thing I missed during the game was the lack of <span>Bryce Salvador</span>. He made some big blocks on the penalty kill and he wasn't particularly bad when he played. The problem is that he didn't play much. He only played 11:57 total in two periods. He did not take a shift in the third period. I suspect he got hurt since team captains don't get benched unless they're utterly odious out on the ice.</p>
<p>The problem with that was that it meant more minutes for everyone else. <span>Marek Zidlicky</span> and <span>Andy Greene</span> playing well over twenty minutes doesn't raise too much of an eyebrow. Peter Harrold and <span>Anton Volchenkov</span> getting over eighteen minutes, well, that's out of the ordinary. Volchenkov was actually not bad tonight. Harrold ranged from OK to horrid on the puck. (And in one case on a Devils power play, horrid without it as he took a Clarksonian tumble.) So Salvador being unavailable took it's toll in some way. Yes, Columbus only got 24 shots on net but the on-ice play meant many of those 24 shots were rather threatening. By the way, it's never a good thing that the losing team only barely out-shoots and out-attempts the winning team even with a period to work with.</p>
<p><b>Could Cory Have Been Better?: </b>I would say he could have. He guessed wrong on the Atikinson goal and even if Wisniewski's shot was deflected, it got through him. If he had part of it, then he could have had all of it. That said, he wasn't getting a lot of help from the guys in front of him. He also made some great stops on the two-on-ones allowed and one robbery of Brandon Dubinsky in front. I wouldn't pin the loss on him. I'm just saying I think he wasn't as sharp as he was in his last two starts. <b> </b></p>
<p><b>Dave Barr Needs Something New: </b>Michael Ryder did score a sweet goal in the slot on a power play. But that came after an otherwise pointless and lackluster power play. Somehow, the Blue Jackets forgot about him and Jagr found him. It was an example of great result, poor process. The fact that the other three power plays, especially the last one that could have helped the Devils get back into the game, put up a combined two shots on net is just sobering. The player's execution hasn't been good but it's increasingly clear that whatever Barr's doing isn't working so far.</p>
<p><b>Your Take: </b> In short, the Devils' performance sucked. Where do the Devils go from here? What changes would you make with respect to the lineup? More importantly, which Devils needed to have a better game than they did? And how impressed were you with the way Columbus maintained form, how they forechecked and how they moved the puck around? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about this loss in the comments. Thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2013/10/22/4907310/new-jersey-devils-go-back-losing-ways-4-1-loss-columbus-blue-jacketsJohn Fischer2013-10-22T18:00:06-04:002013-10-22T18:00:06-04:00Devils at Blue Jackets: Gamethread #9
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DswTQ0xM1hVpa_3Ckld2VyMhDxM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827643/large_inlouwetrust.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Will the New Jersey Devils get their first road win of the season when they play the Columbus Blue Jackets? Hopefully! Talk about the game here as it happens with fellow fans before, during, and after the game until the recap is up.</p> <p><strong>The Time: </strong>7:00 PM EDT</p>
<p><strong>The Broadcast: </strong>TV - MSG; Radio - 660 AM & 101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><strong>The Matchup: </strong>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> (1-4-3) at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> (3-5-0; SBN Blog: <a href="http://www.jacketscannon.com/">The Cannon</a>)</p>
<p><strong>The Previews: </strong>My <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/10/22/4863772/new-jersey-devils-at-columbus-blue-jackets-game-preview-9">preview from earlier this morning is right here.</a> Over at The Cannon,<a href="http://www.jacketscannon.com/2013/10/22/4865590/game-preview-blue-jackets-devils"> Dan P has this preview</a> should you want an opposition's perspective.</p>
<p><strong>A Song for Tonight: </strong>We're still waiting for a road win from the Devils this season. So I'm reminded of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvUl9b1Kvhk">"Tired of Waiting"</a> by No Means No from the seminal 1988 album <em>Wrong</em>. Be strong. Be wrong.</p>
<p><strong>Game Night Info: </strong><a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/brunner_ready_to_play_tonight_in_columbus_elias_remains_in_nj_but_feeling_better/" target="_blank">Tom Gulitti reported at Fire & Ice earlier today</a> that <span>Jacob Josefson</span> will be the one to sit for Damien Brunner's return to the lineup. Yes, <span>Mattias Tedenby</span> is getting a third game. Also: <span>Patrik Elias</span> is feeling better while <span>Ryane Clowe</span> is currently in the Status Quo Zone. Over for Columbus, <a href="http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/2013/10/a.m.-8-new-jersey.html" target="_blank">Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch confirmed this morning</a> that head coach Todd Richards will use mostly the same lines he used against Vancouver only with <span>Sergei Bobrovsky</span> in net. I emphasize mostly because there could be one defensive change per Portzline's report. Defenseman James Wisniewski was sick this morning and if he can't play, then <span>Nikita Nikitin</span> will play in his place.</p>
<p><strong>The Reminder of Rules: </strong>This is a place where you can comment about this game before, during, and after it's played before the recap is up. This is a place where we primarily discuss the Devils game. An odd mention of other NHL games is OK, but it shouldn't dominate discussion. All comments will be clean, respectful of each other, relevant to the game, and legal (read: no illegal streams, don't ask for/tell about one). <em>Please refrain from posting large pictures and .gifs as well so the comments don't slow down.</em> This will be open until a recap of this game is up later tonight. Go Devils!</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2013/10/22/4867852/new-jersey-devils-at-columbus-blue-jackets-gamethread-9John Fischer2013-10-22T07:00:07-04:002013-10-22T07:00:07-04:00Devils at Blue Jackets: Game Preview #9
<figure>
<img alt="There may or may not be chaos around Bobrovsky's net. I suggest that the Devils could make some more tonight." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4pmV-Mo-quHqlGp3cIiUueaQVxs=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21549801/184223401.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>There may or may not be chaos around Bobrovsky's net. I suggest that the Devils could make some more tonight. | Kirk Irwin</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Back on the road, the New Jersey Devils will visit the Columbus Blue Jackets in the hopes of getting their first road win of the season. This preview notes the expected lack of changes for the Devils and highlights what makes Columbus dangerous (and Ottawa-like).</p> <p>The Devils are back on the road and still looking for their first road win.</p>
<p><b>The Time: </b>7:00 PM EDT</p>
<p><b>The Broadcast: </b>TV - MSG; Radio - 660 AM & 101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><b>The Matchup: </b>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> (1-4-3) at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> (3-5-0; SBN Blog: <a href="http://www.jacketscannon.com/">The Cannon</a>)</p>
<p><b>The Last Devils Game: </b>It was great! The Devils hosted Our Hated Rivals, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a>, for the first time this season. The previously winless-in-seven home team went up early and never looked back in a stingy, low-event game. <span>Andrei Loktionov</span> scored his first goal of the season and first of the game; <span>Adam Henrique</span> scored his second goal of the season for the second of the game in the first period; <span>Michael Ryder</span> scored a rare-so-far power play goal in the second period; and <span>Dainius Zubrus</span> banged in a rebound to make it 4-0 within the first forty minutes. The Rangers were listless and only took a lead in shots and attempts in the third period. Whatever they did generate was calmly stopped by <span>Cory Schneider</span>. The Devils finally got their first win of the season: a decisive 4-0 win over a hated rival. <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/10/20/4857294/new-jersey-devils-snap-seven-game-winless-streak-smashing-ny-rangers" target="_blank">My recap of that game is here.</a></p>
<p><b>The Last Blue Jackets Game: </b>Columbus, who lost their last four games in a row, hosted Vancouver on Sunday in the hopes that returning home would be better for business. They did get the result. <span>Sergei Bobrovsky</span> was given the night off in favor of <span>Curtis McElhinney</span>. He was sensational in repelling the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Canucks</a>' attack. He stopped 37 out of 38 shots, including a near-certain equalizer from <span>Chris Higgins</span> near the end of the game. Columbus went up early when <span>Marian Gaborik</span> scored in the first period. Penalty killing woes continued when <span>Henrik Sedin</span> converted a second period power play. However, <span>R.J. Umberger</span> finished off a great pass by <span>Ryan Johansen</span> to provide a go-ahead score in the third period. The home team held on, Johansen sealed the game with an empty netter, and Columbus' losing streak was over. They won 3-1 and <a href="http://www.jacketscannon.com/2013/10/20/4860642/game-8-recap-back-on-track" target="_blank">Mike MacLean recapped the game over at The Cannon.</a></p>
<p><b>The Goal: </b>Get that power play going and make an impact. <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/10/21/4860028/devils-and-their-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-power-play" target="_blank">The Devils' power play has been pitiful this season</a>, Ryder's recent conversion notwithstanding. It's been shot-deficient, possession-poor, and very-hard-to-view. But tonight's game may be an opportunity to get something going. Columbus hasn't been the worst penalty killing team in the league but they're not far from dead last. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20142ALLSAAAll&sort=penaltyKillPercentage&viewName=summary" target="_blank">The Blue Jackets' success rate is the fifth lowest in the league at 76%.</a> The underlying numbers are just as low. Columbus has <a href="http://www.extraskater.com/teams/2013/4v5?sort=sa60" target="_blank">the sixth highest shots allowed per 60 rate in 4-on-5 play at 64.3 according to Extra Skater.</a> They're not punching back at all as they have only two attempts and one shots on net in 4-on-5 situations. The goaltenders haven't been able to be a saving grace. While Bobrovsky has a great even strength save percentage, <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20132014&gameType=2&team=CBJ&position=G&country=&status=&viewName=specialTeamSaves" target="_blank">his penalty killing save percentage has been in the ditch.</a> The only good news is that the Blue Jackets are relatively disciplined. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20142ALLSAAAll&sort=timesShort&viewName=penaltyKill" target="_blank">They've only been shorthanded 25 times</a>, the seventh fewest in the league, in their seven games played. It's not that the Devils <i>need</i> some power play success to win tonight, but my point is that they should be able to at least threaten to score. Then again, the Devils' power play has been so horrid in that regard that it's not a guarantee. It would make this game a lot easier if they can get some success, though.</p>
<p><b>Look for One Change: </b>The Devils have been practicing the last two days and <span>Damien Brunner</span> is back. <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/elias_still_ill_wont_travel_to_columbus_brunner_ready_to_return_devils_looking_to_build_on_win/" target="_blank">Tom Gulitti reported on Monday at Fire & Ice that he's OK and will return tonight.</a> However, he's the only Devil to do so. While he is now eligible to come off of injured reserve, <span>Ryane Clowe</span> did not practice. <span>Patrik Elias</span> is still ill and <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/elias_still_ill_wont_travel_to_columbus_brunner_ready_to_return_devils_looking_to_build_on_win/" target="_blank">Gulitti reported that he did not travel to Columbus.</a> I wish Elias was feeling better as the offense would be more threatening with him involved than not, but sickness is what it is. So there will be only one change up front. <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/ill_elias_still_missing_from_devils_practice_brunner_salvador_gionta_all_participating/" target="_blank">Based on the lines Gulitti reported at practice on Monday</a>, Brunner will line up with Loktionov and Zubrus. The one man to drop will either be <span>Jacob Josefson</span> or <span>Mattias Tedenby</span>, who were sharing a left wing spot with <span>Travis Zajac</span> and Ryder. If it were up to me, I'd make it Tedenby. While he wasn't awful in his two appearances, he didn't really do a whole lot to justify a third appearance. I'd rather have Josefson as an additional two-way forward to get a bigger role. Especially since Columbus has more than just one or two attacking threats.</p>
<p>The back end of the roster will likely remain the same. <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/elias_still_ill_wont_travel_to_columbus_brunner_ready_to_return_devils_looking_to_build_on_win/" target="_blank">Gulitti reported that Cory Schneider will start this game and the defense isn't likely to change.</a> <span>Adam Larsson</span> was rotating with <span>Peter Harrold</span> on the third pairing. As much as most would prefer Larsson playing in place of Harrold, I can understand the lack of change on the blueline. The Devils just got a shutout win while holding an opposition team who was losing for nearly for the entire game to less than 25 shots on net. You can't ask for a much better performance from a defensive perspective. So why change it?</p>
<p><b>Expect Shots: </b>While the Devils got four goals on Saturday, I will ask that they get more shots on net. OK, getting four out of first twelve in the net is fantastic but that's not going to happen every night. The good news is that Columbus has been rather leaky when it comes to shots allowed. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20142ALLSAAAll&sort=avgShotsAgainstPerGame&viewName=summary" target="_blank">They have allowed an average of 33.5 shots per game</a>, the seventh highest in the league. The lowest amount of shots they've allowed this season was 27, their other six games have been 30+. The Devils offense should be able to attack.</p>
<p>However, Columbus aren't a team to just let it happen. Like Ottawa, they punch back. They play a lot of high-event games. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20142ALLSAAAll&sort=avgShotsPerGame&viewName=summary" target="_blank">They have the eighth highest shots per game average at 32.2.</a> Their power play <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20142ALLSAAAll&sort=powerPlayPercentage&viewName=summary" target="_blank">success rate is a solid 20%.</a> In 5-on-5 play, their Corsi percentage rate is just below 50% at <a href="http://www.extraskater.com/teams/2013/5v5" target="_blank">49.2% according to Extra Skater.</a> Some of <a href="http://www.extraskater.com/players/on-ice?season=2013&sit=5v5&min_gp=10&team=cbj" target="_blank">the player's possession rates at Extra Skater will surprise you.</a> <span>Jack Johnson</span> hasn't been a black hole on the ice this season, he's just under 50%. The three former Rangers - Gaborik, <span>Artem Anisimov</span>, and <span>Brandon Dubinsky</span> - have been quite good at driving the play. <span>Cam Atkinson</span>, the team leader in shots with 30, and <span>Nick Foligno</span> - <a href="http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2013/10/21/folignos-newborn-is-on-mend.html" target="_blank">great news to read that his daughter will be OK</a> - have both been fantastic. This is a team that may give up plenty of shots but they'll put them back. Good thing Peter DeBoer has Schneider in tonight. Hopefully the Devils defense can slow them down.</p>
<p><b>Active Cannons: </b>From a production standpoint, Columbus can definitely do some damage. <a href="http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/2013/10/day-off-after-needed-win.html" target="_blank">Based on the lines reported by Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch in Tuesday's practice</a>, the team's spreading out their weapons. The top line features Atikinson, the team's leading shooter; Dubinsky, who has 21; and rookie <span>Boone Jenner</span>. Their second line has leading scorer Gaborik (three goals, five assists), Anisimov and Foligno will help set him up and keep things moving ahead. I'd almost wager that would be the most dangerous line in the same way that MacArthur-Turris-Ryan was in the Ottawa game. The third unit of <span>Blake Comeau</span>, Johansen, and Umberger isn't to be ignored. Johansen is behind only Gaborik in points with five, Umberger has four now, and the two hooked up for a great goal on Sunday. They could provide problems if given space. Their top nine isn't shabby at all. Just ask Vancouver, who saw these lines.</p>
<p>Among defensemen, there are two players the Devils should be aware of: Johnson and <span>James Wisniewski</span>. Both are tied on the team in shots on net and their shots are quite good. Wisniewski leads the D with four points and Johnson has the only goals (2) scored by a Blue Jackets' defender. <a href="http://www.extraskater.com/players/on-ice?pos=D&season=2013&min_gp=10&sit=5v5&team=cbj" target="_blank">Each may come out the wrong end of possession</a> (Wisniewski is being protected a bit on a third pairing; <span>David Savard</span> has been good in possession) but if they're making killer passes or bombing shots on target, then they can still hurt New Jersey. Again, the Devils should be able to get rubber on net in response but slowing this team down is going to be a trick. They shouldn't expect anything like Saturday's game where the Devils held their opponents to little.</p>
<p><b>Bob: </b><a href="http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/2013/10/day-off-after-needed-win.html" target="_blank">Portzline reported that Todd Richards will make a change in net</a>; Sergei Bobrovsky will start tonight's game. He won the Vezina last season with a fantastic performance that nearly helped Columbus break into the playoffs. While I'm skeptical that he'll post a 93.2% overall save percentage again, he's been posting that percentage at even strength so far this season. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?gameType=2&position=G&season=20132014&sort=evenStrengthSaves&status=A&team=CBJ&viewName=specialTeamSaves" target="_blank">He's only allowed thirteen goals out of 191 shots, which is fantastic at evens.</a> That's not too dissimilar to <span>Craig Anderson</span>, another goalie who's made a lot of stops on a team that doesn't prevent a lot of shots. Again, Bobrovsky has been most vulnerable on the penalty kill. Here's hoping that the Devils can take advantage of that and that Bobrovsky doesn't stand on his head.</p>
<p><b>Your Take: </b>Will this be the night where the Devils get their first road win? Can the Devils quell the top nine of Columbus, namely Gaborik's line? Who on the Devils will step up to score as needed? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about tonight's game in the comments. Thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2013/10/22/4863772/new-jersey-devils-at-columbus-blue-jackets-game-preview-9John Fischer