New Jersey is 2-2-1 against the Pacific Division this season and is 3-2-1 against the Western Conference.
The club surrendered their first shorthanded goal against of the season on Michael Frolik's goal at 11:07 of the first period.
At 13:15 of the first period, Keith Kinkaid stopped Micheal Ferland's penalty shot attempt. Kinkaid is 2-2 (100.0%) when facing penalty shots in his career (also; P. Kessel, Mar. 17, 2017, Save). This was the first penalty shot against the Devils in 2017-18 season. He stopped 30 of 34 shots (+ 1 of 3 in the shootout) to fall to 3-1-1 in 2017-18.
Miles Wood was awarded a penalty shot at 13:54 of the third period and was unsuccessful on the attempt. Wood is now 0-2 in his career on penalty shots (also; Nov. 29, 2016, vs. C. Hellebuyck, Miss).
Taylor Hall opened the scoring for the Devils with his fifth goal of the season. Hall now has a season-high, five-game point streak (4G-4A-8PTS).
Nico Hischier had two assists for his third multi-point game of his career and was awarded as the Second Star of the Game. Hischier has three assists in his past two games and led the Devils with five shots on net.
Ben Lovejoy picked up his first goal and finished the night with two points (1G-1A). It was his first multi-point game as a Devil and the ninth of his career. His last goal was on Dec. 6, 2016 vs, VAN.
Brian Gibbons notched his team-leading seventh goal of the season to extend his new career-high.
Andy Greene scored his first goal of the season and led the team with 24:25 of ice-time.
TONIGHT'S GAME
The Devils face-off against St. Louis in the first of two games this season. New Jersey will travel to Scottrade Center to face the Blues to finish the two game season series on Jan. 2. The club will look to avoid ending their season-long, two game win-less streak.
The Devils were 0-2-0 vs. the Blues in 2016-17 and were outscored 3-9. The Devils have not defeated St. Louis in six straight games (last win; Jan. 14, 2014, 7-1).
In 2017-18, the Devils are 4-2-0 at home and are 3-2-1 against the Western Conference. Specifically, the Devils are 1-0-0 against Central Division teams (Oct. 7, 4-1 vs. COL).
The Devils lead the Metropolitan Division with 19 points (tie; CBJ) and are second in the Eastern Conference, while St. Louis leads the Central Division and Western Conference with 23 points. The Blues are 6-3-0 against Eastern Conference clubs this season. They are tied with New Jersey (and WSH) with the second-most points on the road in the NHL.
Beau Bennett, who recorded a career high 19 points in 65 games with the Devils in 2016-17, signed a one-year contract with St. Louis on July 1, 2017.
INJURIES
Travis Zajac (IR, torn left pectoral muscle, 12 games missed) is out 4-6 months at time of surgery, August 17, 2017.
Michael McLeod (IR, torn meniscus in left knee, 12 games missed) suffered Sept. 25, had successful arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 12. Out 4-6 weeks from time of surgery.
Kyle Palmieri (IR, lower body, 4 games missed) is on I.R. retroactive to October 22, 2017.
Marcus Johansson (Concussion, 2 game missed) suffered Nov. 1, is out.
Steven Santini (Upper Body, 1 game missed) is day-to-day.
Games Lost to Injury/Illness: 51
UPCOMING MILESTONES
GREENE - 1PT for 200 in NHL/DEVILS
HALL - 2PTS for 400 in NHL.
JOHANSSON - 5PTS for 300 in NHL. injured
BOYLE - 7G for 100 in NHL
