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The New Jersey Devils face the Columbus Blue Jackets with both teams looking to improve on rough seasons. The Devils have a 22-17-3 record and with two losses in a row, they have fallen to the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. the Blue Jackets have a 14-21-9 record and with only three wins in their last 10 games, they have the worst record in the Metropolitan Division. Both teams look to improve in the division and the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game should be a good one.
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The Devils are having a rough season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.43 goals per game. Jesper Bratt and Tyler Toffoli have scored 32 goals and 43 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Nico Hischier, Dawson Mercer, and Erik Haula have combined for 34 goals and 34 assists while defensemen Luke Hughes and John Marino have 10 goals and 28 assists from the point to open up the offense.
That puck had a family, Alexander! pic.twitter.com/SvAhaRFbsH
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 18, 2024
The offense has stepped up but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.48 goals per game. Colin Miller and Kevin Bahl have combined for 2.9 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Vitek Vanecek has been awful with a .882 save percentage and a 3.31 goals-against average on 650 shots with -14.4 goals saved above average.