Pittsburgh is 1-1-3 in five games without center Sidney Crosby, who is recovering from core muscle surgery. The lone regulation loss during that stretch came against New Jersey, 2-1 at Prudential Center on Nov. 15. The Penguins are 5-2-4 in their past 11 games with six of those 11 decided in overtime or a shootout. Goalie Tristan Jarry could start; he's 2-3-0 with a 1.99 goals-against average and .938 save percentage in five games (four starts) this season. The Devils are 3-4-0 in their past seven games; they were outscored 18-5 in the four losses and outscored their opponents 8-5 in the three wins.
Players to watch
Devils forward Blake Coleman has four points (two goals, two assists) in a four-game point streak. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in his past eight games, including multiple points in each of his past three games and in five of his past seven. He has 53 points (21 goals, 32 assists) in 57 games against New Jersey.
They said it
"I just think we have a lot of respect for Pittsburgh. You have to be ready every time you play them to make sure you're mentally and physically prepared to play." -- Devils coach John Hynes "It was a collective effort [in a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday]. It was team play on both sides of the puck. That's how we have to play, especially given the circumstance we're in right now." -- Penguins coach Mike Sullivan
Blackwood will start the first game of a back-to-back for New Jersey, Hynes said. It has not been decided who would start against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. ... The Penguins did not hold a morning skate Friday after the overtime loss to the Islanders on Thursday.
Stat pack
The Devils are 5-2-1 in Pittsburgh since the start of the 2015-16 season. ... Hall has 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 16 games against the Penguins. … Rust has five points (three goals, two assists) in a three-game goal/point streak.
