The Devils host the Edmonton Oilers at Prudential Center for a New Years Eve Matinee. Game time is 1 p.m. ET and you can watch on MSG+ or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.
New Jersey broke a six-game losing skid with its first game back from the winter break, a 4-3 win in Buffalo over the Sabres. In the Oilers most recent game, they lost 4-2 to the Blues in St. Louis.

YOUR GAME-DAY ESSENTIALS

GAME DAY VIDEO
DEVILS MINUTE: Amanda Stein's Pre-Game Report
Assistant Coach Alain Nasreddine Pre-Game
BY THE NUMBERS
Stats Comparisons: Devils vs Oilers
Media Game Notes: Devils vs Oilers
Devils Player Statistics
Oilers Player Statistics
NHL Standings
RECENT VIDEOS
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Snap the Skid | POST GAME REPORT
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TV & RADIO
You can watch today's game on MSG+.
You can listen to today's game on the Devils Hockey Network.
There are still tickets available for the New Year's Eve game against the Edmonton Oilers.
Purchase them here.

INSIDE THE DEVILS

The Devils prepare for the Oilers, Sharagovich's turnaround this season, and more
Read more on Inside the Devils Blog.

PRE-GAME STORY

NEWARK, N.J. -Devils assistant coach Alain Nasreddine will take over behind the team's bench for the foreseeable future after head coach Lindy Ruff was placed into the NHL's COVID-19 protocol Friday afternoon.
"We found out a half an hour ago and had to wait until it was confirmed," Nasreddine told the media during an 11:45 a.m. availability. "It is unfortunate. But it's the reality we live in. It's all about getting two points today. That's all we're focused on."
Nasreddine will work with assistant coach Mark Recchi with the forward unit. Meanwhile, assistant coach Chris Taylor will come down from the press box to be behind the bench and handle the forwards. Ruff will be on headset with the coaches, even though he will not be permitted on the bench.
Nasreddine, 46, took over as interim head coach for the Devils during the 2019-20 season, posting a 19-16-8 record.
"That experience helped from a couple years ago," he said. "I'm getting great help from Mark and Taylor, and we'll handle it together."

PREVIEW

DEVILS (11-15-5) vs OILERS (18-12-0)
TV:MSG +
RADIO: Devils Hockey Network
Head-to-Head:
This is the first meeting between the Oilers and Devils since Nov. 8, 2019, due to last year's division only play. During the 2019-20 season, these teams only played once due to the shortened COVID season.
The most recent game was in Edmonton, where the home team dished the Devils a 4-0 loss.
Devils Team Scope:
After losing six straight games, the Devils entered a period of 10 days without a game. The break, which included two days off for the holidays, allowed New Jersey to get healthy and regain several players from the COVID protocol list. Coming out of the break, the Devils beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on the road, for the team's first road win in December.
Jesper Bratt, Pavel Zacha, and Andreas Johnsson are tied for a team-leading nine goals. Bratt also leads the team in assists with 18, and points with 27. Mackenzie Blackwood picked up a win Wednesday night in his return from a neck injury. He currently has a 3.13 goals against average and .900 save percentage.
The Devils have three players on the NHL's COVID protocol list with Jimmy Vesey, Jon Gillies, and Tomas Tatar. Ahead of the team's game against the Sabres, the Devils activated Jesper Boqvist and Marián Studenič off the taxi squad.
Oilers Team Scope:
Edmonton is a team led by the duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who each have 50 points this season (McDavid: 17G, 33A; Draisaitl: 24G, 26A). The two are tied for most points in the NHL. However, the Oilers have gone a 3-7-0 stretch and lost to the Blues, 4-2, on Wednesday. However with the league's best power play, a top-10 penalty kill, and dynamic scorers, this team is a tough opponent.
Friday's game brings the return of defenseman Darnell Nurse and forward Jesse Puljujarvi, as the Oilers have gained back various players this week from injuries and the COVID protocol list. Oilers head coach Dave Tippet confirmed that Mike Smith will get his second straight start, and play against the Devils. Smith has a 3.38 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. This game will be Smith's fifth start of the 2021-22 campaign.
By the Numbers:
This is the first time, brothers Michael (NJD) and Ryan (EDM) McLeod will face off against each other in the NHL. Michael is in his second full season with the Devils, while this is Ryan's first full NHL campaign, after playing 10 games the previous year. Both McLeod brothers are centermen. This season, Michael is winning faceoffs 60.37% of the time, while Ryan has a 49.72% faceoff win average this year.
Injuries:
Devils
Thompson (IR, upper body)
Wood (IR, hip)
Bernier (IR, hip)
Tatar (COVID protocol)
Gillies (COVID protocol)
Vesey (COVID protocol)
Oilers
Russell (IR, upper body)
Niemalainen (hand)