The upcoming NHL game between the New Jersey Devils and the Columbus Blue Jackets is set to take place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 7:05pm EST. The Devils, with a record of 22-17-3, will be facing the Blue Jackets, who hold a record of 14-21-9. Having met three times already this season, New Jersey emerged victorious in two of the matchups. As the puck drops at 7 PM EST, the stage is set for an intense showdown.
In their recent games, the New Jersey Devils have experienced a setback, losing four of their last five matches. Despite being the -180 favorite in their previous game, they were defeated 3-2 by the Montreal Canadiens. Notable performances included goals from Alexander Holtz and Luke Hughes, with Nico Daws making 22 saves out of 25 shots faced. The Devils have shown strength in their offensive play, scoring four or more goals in six of their last 10 games. Jesper Bratt leads the team with 46 points, while Jack Hughes, currently sidelined due to an upper-body injury, has contributed 45 points. However, the team’s goaltending has been a weak point, with Vitek Vanecek and Nico Daws facing challenges in maintaining a strong defense.
On the other hand, the Columbus Blue Jackets managed to snap a three-game losing streak in their previous game, where they emerged as +180 underdogs and secured a 4-3 shootout victory against the Vancouver Canucks. Notable performances included two goals from Dmitri Voronkov and two assists from Johnny Gaudreau, with Elvis Merzlikins making 27 saves out of 30 shots faced. Despite their recent struggles in offensive play, the Blue Jackets are looking to improve their performance, with Johnny Gaudreau leading the team with 28 points. However, similar to the Devils, Columbus has faced challenges in defense and goaltending, ranking poorly in goals against per game and shots against per game.
As both teams prepare to face off at the Nationwide Arena, the stage is set for an intriguing battle on the ice. With the Devils aiming to bounce back from their recent losses and the Blue Jackets seeking to build on their recent victory, hockey fans can anticipate an exciting game filled with intense action and skillful plays.
