NEW JERSEY DEVILS (33-24-6) vs. WINNIPEG JETS (43-16-4)

New Jersey hosts the Winnipeg Jets for a Friday night showdown.

You can watch on MSGSN or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

Read below for your game preview and pre-game story below. Tonight's game is presented by Donnelly Energy.

MORNING SKATE RECAP

NEWARK, N.J. - After a longer practice Thursday, the Devils held an optional practice Friday. Newly acquired defenseman Brian Dumoulin joined the skate, wearing number 2. Stefan Noesen, Jesper Bratt, Dawson Mercer, Curtis Lazar, Kurtis MacDermid, Brenden Dillon, Seamus Casey, Simon Nemec, Johnathan Kovacevic, and Jake Allen also partcipated.

Dumoulin is in his 12th NHL season with stops in Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Anaheim. He won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins, and views his consistency as one of his greatest strengths.

"I like to be reliable and give coaches and my teammates kind of the same every night," Dumoulin explained. "Not have too many swings of ups and downs. I think for me it's based on more defensive game with gaps and breakouts, and getting out of the zone clean, and making tape to tape passes. And just exiting the zone, getting out of the zone, giving it to the forwards where they can make an odd-man rush. So I think simplicity and just defensive minded."

For the veteran blueliner, he's working to adjust to the Devils systems after arriving in New Jersey less than a day after he was traded.

"It's not something that I'm going to learn in the first game," Dumoulin shared. "I think it's just go out there and play hockey. Go out there and have fun and enjoy the group. Communication is one of the biggest things. I think that's one thing I try to bring, always try to just talk as much as I can, especially on the ice. I think that's one thing I got to lean on."

"I've heard great things about his track record, (I) played in a Stanley Cup Final against him. There will be an icebreaker, you can say (he took) the ring right off my fingers," Brenden Dillon joked. "(Dumoulin's a) solid defenseman that I've watched over the last bunch of years and is going to be a big piece of our team here down the stretch."

Head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed the defenseman will play his first game in a Devils sweater tonight against the Jets. The newest defenseman will play with Johnathan Kovacevic according to New Jersey's bench boss.

"Great to see him get in (to New Jersey)," Keefe shared about Dumoulin. "Get him comfortable around here with the guys and have some meetings and discussions with him to be ready to go tonight.

"I tried to give him a quick idea of things that are unique to us or different from Anaheim and (assistant coach) Ryan McGill spent time with him this morning, went through 5-on-5, penalty kill stuff," Keefe continued. "But my message to him was just do your thing. He’s a veteran, played in the league a long time, and has played on different teams. We’ll get him more up to speed with every day that comes but certainly for today, just try to play with a clear mind."

(Dilly) and the Jets

From the fall of 2021 to the spring of 2024, Brenden Dillon was a member of the Winnipeg Jets. He discussed what has made the Jets a top NHL team this season, and what he experienced during his time with the organization.

"Solid team top to bottom," Dillon shared. "Lots of depth, great leadership within that room. The head coach (there) I got to know really well in Washington and Winnipeg actually. Scott Arniel is as detailed of a coach you're going to find, has a great pulse on that room.

"I still talk to quite a few of those guys over there," Dillon continued. "They're having fun, they're enjoying themselves. I feel like they're getting contributions up and down. Their top players have been their top players and obvioulsy the goaltender they got in net, we've seen what he's done over the last few years. So just a really complete ice hockey team that is getting rewarded for playing well."

The Deadline

In addition to the anticipation of puck drop tonight, today is the NHL's Trade Deadline. This morning through 3 p.m. ET has the opportunity to be a busy news day, but Sheldon Keefe has maintained the team's focus on tonight's opponent.

"It’s a pretty normal day from our perspective and I try to keep it that way. Certainly for me it is. My focus is getting our team ready and prepared for the Winnipeg Jets. That’s been my focus and everything else is happening upstairs and separate from our operation. Our guys know that we have a challenge here today (facing the Jets) and we’ve tried to keep the focus on things that we can control, which is the message not only for today but the rest of the season."

For more on the Devils Trade Deadline news, click here!

THE SCOOP

The Devils are battling through adversity, winning only two of their last five games, and four of their last 10. New Jersey's most recent game, a 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, showed the Devils heart as they battled back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period to tie the game. However, a goal with five seconds left in regulation secured a Stars win. Over their last five games, all on the road, the Devils also suffered some key injuries. Alternate Captain Jack Hughes was hurt in the final minutes of New Jersey's game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Hughes underwent shoulder surgery on Wednesday. Against the Stars, defenseman Dougie Hamilton suffered an injury in the first period and didn't return after the first intermission. Head coach Sheldon Keefe said the team is still evaluating the defenseman; however he would not play on Friday.

New Jersey's defense has become one of its greatest strengths, shutting down opponents with a strong structure. The Devils allow, on average, 2.49 goals against per game which is second-lowest in the NHL. Another strength? Special teams. The Devils power play is fourth (27.9%) while the penalty kill is third (82.8%). In New Jersey's most recent game, the Devils scored on both of their power play opportunities against the Dallas Stars. On the five-game road trip, New Jersey killed 14 of their 19 penalties.

Jack Hughes leads the Devils in goals (27) and is tied with Jesper Bratt for most points (70). His 43 assists are second to Bratt who has 53. Nico Hischier has 26 goals and is five away from tying his career-high in a single season (31). Since returning from injury, Jacob Markstrom has played the Devils last two games. Through 38 games he has a 21-11-5 record, is averaging 2.24 goals against, and has a .910 save percentage.

Ahead of Friday's trade deadline, the Devils added two-time Stanley Cup Champion Brian Dumoulin. The veteran defenseman is a left-hand shot and brings a wealth of experience. Adding another left-hand shot will allow a Devils defenseman to switch back to their strong side.

The playoff race is getting tighter in the Metropolitan Division with the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers just points behind the Devils, each with a game in hand. However, New Jersey has performed well at home, going 8-4-1 in their last 13 games at Prudential Center. The Devils will have 12 of their final 19 games of the regular season at home. Following Friday's game, the Devils head to Philadelphia to face the Flyers before returning home for a two-game homestand.

The Jets enter Friday on the second half of a back-to-back. In their most recent game, the Jets beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1, snapping a three-game winless skid. Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor, and Adam Lowry all scored in the win, with the first two goals on the power play. Matvei Michkov scored the lone goal for the Flyers in the final three minutes of regulation. In their last 10 games, the Jets have gone 7-2-1.

Since Winnipeg is a top team in the NHL it’s no surprise the Jets have plenty of strengths. In addition to allowing the fewest goals per game in the NHL (2.32), Winnipeg is averaging the third most goals per game (3.48). The Jets power play is first in the league, scoring on 32% of their opportunities.

Mark Scheifele leads the Jets with 35 goals. His 36 assists are third on the team while his 71 points are second. Kyle Connor’s 78 points are a team-high, as are his 46 assists. The third member of this line, Gabriel Vilardi, has 26 goals (3rd) and 58 points (3rd). With Eric Comrie playing Thursday night, it’s likely the Devils will face Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL and his 36 wins lead the league. The Jets’ starter has a .926 save percentage and is averaging 2.01 goals against. Hellebuyck has six shutouts this season, for the third time in his career. If he reaches seven this season, he’ll set a new career-high.

Currently, Winnipeg is first in the Central Division, first the NHL, and the first team to 90 points this season. The Jets have a seven-point lead, with one more game played, over the Dallas Stars. Following Friday's game, the Jets travel to North Carolina to wrap up a four-game road trip with a Sunday afternoon contest against the Hurricanes.

WHO’S HOT

Devils: Luke Hughes had six assists on the Devils five-game road trip, with two of those games being multi-assist nights for the defenseman (Feb. 23, 2A; Mar. 4, 2A). Hughes has 28 points this season (5G, 23A) and has added to his extensive role with the Devils with some penalty killing in recent games. With Hamilton's injury, Hughes has stepped up to quarterback the top power play unit, and bring offensive production as well.

Jets: Since returning from the 4 Nations break, Kyle Connor has nine points (2G, 7A) including two points in Thursday night's game (1G, 1 A). Connor's 78 points through 63 games are fourth in the NHL and he is 16 points away from setting a new single season career-high in this category. Connor is on Winnipeg's top line, with Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi. The trio combined for eight points in the win over the Flyers.

INJURIES

Devils: Siegenthaler (unknown, IR), J.Hughes (shoulder, LTIR), Hamilton (undisclosed)

Jets: Kupari (concussion protocol)

REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS

• Mar. 7 vs. WPG
• Mar. 28 at WPG

GAME NOTES

• After 63 games played, the Devils have played against 29 of 31 NHL opponents. Winnipeg is one team New Jersey hasn't faced yet and both games this season against the Jets will be this month.
• The Devils enter Friday's game with a 27-0-2 recrod when leading after two periods this season. They're one of six taems with 27, or more, wins when leading after periods this season. Winnipeg ranked first with 32 wins, per Mar. 6.
• Winnipeg is the first team to 90 points this season, achieving this in 63 games with a 43-16-4 record.
• The Jets lead the NHL with 53 power play goals this season, the Detroit Red Wings are second with 52, and the Devils are 48.