Devils at Bruins preview

DEVILS (24-14-8) at BRUINS (27-10-8)
7 p.m. ET; SN, NESN, MSG, NHL.TV

McAvoy is out after he had a procedure to treat an abnormal heart rhythm Monday. He's expected to miss two weeks.
With a point, the Bruins would tie for the third-longest streak in their history previously accomplished three times (16-0-1, Jan. 19-March 11, 1930; 15-0-2, Nov. 6-Dec. 11, 1977; 15-0-2, Jan. 5-Feb. 13, 1983). The Bruins are 12-0-4 in their past 16 games and haven't lost in regulation since they were defeated by the Washington Capitals 5-3 on Dec. 14.
Forward Taylor Hall, who leads New Jersey with 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists), will miss his second straight game with a hand injury. The Devils have lost two straight games, including 3-0 at home to the Detroit Red Wings on Monday, and are 2-5-3 in their past 10.

Players to watch

Devils forward Jesper Bratt has four points (two goals, two assists) in his past five games.
Bruins center David Krejci has seven points (two goals, five assists) during a five-game point streak.

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They said it

"We need to be more competitive and harder in front of both nets. Having said all that, we still need to stick together. We understand we have had success doing it the right way and I think we have a close-knit group in here where we can be honest with one another and still be supportive of one another." -- Devils forward Brian Boyle
"That's the advantage of depth at that position. And yes, I assume we'll miss Charlie's puck-moving ability, his ability to play against top players, power play, but Kevan [Miller's] going in, who was playing very well before he got ill. We expect a good game from the D corps no matter who the partners are." -- Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy

Devils projected lineup

Jesper Bratt -- Nico Hischier -- Kyle Palmieri
Marcus Johansson --
Travis Zajac
-- Drew Stafford
Miles Wood -- Pavel Zacha -- Stefan Noesen
Blake Coleman -- Brian Boyle -- Jimmy Hayes
Andy Greene -- Sami Vatanen
John Moore -- Damon Severson
Will Butcher -- Ben Lovejoy
Cory Schneider
Ken Appleby
Scratched:Steven Santini
Injured:Keith Kinkaid (groin), Taylor Hall (hand), Brian Gibbons (hand), Mirco Mueller (fractured clavicle)

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Bruins projected lineup

Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk -- David Krejci -- Ryan Spooner
Danton Heinen
-- Riley Nash -- David Backes
Tim Schaller -- Sean Kuraly -- Noel Acciari
Zdeno Chara -- Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug -- Adam McQuaid
Matt Grzelcyk -- Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin
Scratched:Paul Postma, Frank Vatrano
Injured:Charlie McAvoy (heart)

Status report

The Devils did not hold a morning skate. … Miller replaces McAvoy for the Bruins after being scratched the past three games because of illness.

Stat pack

The Devils are 0-4-1 against the Bruins at TD Garden since the 2013-14 season. ... Rask is 14-0-2 with a 1.61 goals-against average and .940 save percentage in his past 16 starts.