Devils Look to Keep Ducks Down | PREVIEW

NEW JERSEY DEVILS (5-4-0) at ANAHEIM DUCKS (4-5-0)

New Jersey continues its three-game homestand hosting the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. Puck drop is 7:08 p.m. ET.

Read below for your Game Preview presented by Central Jersey Trucking and Rigging and check back for the Morning Skate Recap.

MORNING SKATE RECAP

NEWARK, N.J. - Check back following morning skate around 11:00 a.m. ET.

THE SCOOP

The Devils will look to build on one of their strongest performances of the young season when they welcome the Anaheim Ducks to Prudential Center.

New Jersey is coming off a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Luke Evangelista made an immediate impact in his return to the lineup, scoring the game's opening goal and adding an assist after missing three games with an illness. Connor Brown also returned, making his season debut after missing New Jersey's first eight games with a lower-body injury.

Declan Chisholm scored his first goal as a Devil, Arseny Gritsyuk scored a highlight-reel goal, and Jesper Boqvist added an empty-net goal. In goal, Jake Allen turned aside 31 shots.

The Ducks, meanwhile, arrive in New Jersey looking to reverse their recent fortunes.

Anaheim has dropped four consecutive games, including a 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. The Ducks fell behind 3-1 in the opening period before Alex Killorn brought them within a goal in the third, but they were unable to complete the comeback.

It was Anaheim's second loss in as many nights in the Metro area, following a 5-2 defeat to the Rangers on Monday. 

Anaheim does, however, have plenty of offensive talent capable of creating problems for New Jersey. Young forwards Leo Carlsson and Beckett Sennecke have been among the Ducks' most productive players, while veteran Mikael Granlund adds another offensive threat.

WHO’S HOT

Devils: Arseny Gritsyuk

The architect of a highlight-reel goal against the Avalanche, Gritsyuk is tied for the lead in goals with Nico Hischier for New Jersey with 4 on the season. He's riding a three-game goal scoring streak and has four goals over the Devils last five games.

Ducks: Leo Carlsson

Carlsson has been Anaheim's offensive leader to start the season, recording 11 points (2g-9a) through nine games. The 21-year-old Swedish center is averaging better than a point per game and leads the Ducks in scoring. 

INJURIES

Devils:

• Nick Bjugstad: Recovering from torn left pectoral muscle, out until January

• Seamus Casey: Injured, non-roster

Ducks:

• Ian Moore: Lower body

• Ryan Poehling: lower body, Injured Reserve

• Troy Terry: Hip, Long-Term Injured

26-27 REGULAR-SEASON

• Oct. 22 vs Anaheim
• Jan. 1 at Anaheim

GAME NOTES

• New Jersey has scored 11 goals in its last two home games, including seven against the Rangers on October 15 and four against Colorado on October 20.
• The Ducks enter the matchup on a four-game losing streak, including consecutive defeats to the Rangers and Islanders earlier this week.
• Thursday's matchup with Anaheim is the second of eight consecutive games against Western Conference opponents for New Jersey. 
• Anaheim defenseman Jackson LaCombe has seven points (1g-6a) in nine games. He's averaging a team-high 26:03 of ice time per game and has blocked 15 shots.