DEVILS (27-18-8) at BLUE JACKETS (27-23-4) 7 p.m. ET; FS-O, MSG+, NHL.TV
Columbus trails the New York Islanders by two points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Devils, third in the Metropolitan Division and four points ahead of the Blue Jackets, have lost two straight after a three-game winning streak, and are 3-6-0 in their past nine games.
Players to watch
Devils forward Taylor Hall has 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in his past 12 games. Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin's goal against the Capitals was his second in nine games. He leads Columbus with 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists) in 54 games.
They said it
"This time last year we weren't playing meaningful games. We didn't want to look at the standings and we didn't have pride in how we do things, and now we do." -- Devils coach John Hynes "We've kind of found our identity the past few games. We haven't been on the winning side, but we have to keep playing the same way." -- Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones
Kinkaid will equal his NHL high with his sixth straight start. … Schneider will miss his seventh consecutive game. … Columbus did not hold a morning skate. … Korpisalo was recalled from Cleveland of the American Hockey League on Saturday.
Stat pack
Palmieri has six points (three goals, three assists) in his past five games. … Zacha has five points (one goal, four assists) in his past five games. … The Blue Jackets have scored two goals or fewer in 11 of their past 15 games, and have not held a two-goal lead since a 5-4 loss at the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 29.
