Rangers at Devils preview

RANGERS (21-21-7) AT DEVILS (19-23-7)
7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, MSG+, MSG, NHL.TV

The 36-year-old goalie, who made six saves on six shots to help the Metropolitan Division win the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Saturday, has a 2.33 goals-against average and .924 save percentage in his three consecutive wins for New York, which is 4-2-0 in its past six games after a five-game losing streak (0-5-0).
The Devils, 3-6-0 in their past nine games, have scored two goals or fewer in each of those six losses. Goalie Keith Kinkaid, who made 37 saves in a 6-3 win at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, will look for consecutive victories for the first time since Nov. 13-15.

Players to watch

Rangers center Mika Zibanejad has nine points (five goals, four assists) in his past six games.
Devils forward Blake Coleman has nine points (six goals, three assists) in his past eight games.

They said it

"On face-offs there have been too many 50/50 puck battles where our wingers haven't been quick enough (to gain possession). We're getting beat to loose pucks and you're frustrated because you want your stats to be better but you also want possession. It's something we've spent some time on for sure." -- Rangers coach David Quinn
"It's two hard-working teams with a lot pride, so we expect a spirited affair and hopefully it'll be a loud and packed building against our rival." -- Devils forward Brian Boyle

Rangers projected lineup

Chris Kreider -- Mika Zibanejad -- Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey -- Kevin Hayes -- Jesper Fast
Filip Chytil -- Ryan Strome -- Vladislav Namestnikov
Cody McLeod -- Boo Nieves -- Pavel Buchnevich
Marc Staal -- Neal Pionk
Brady Skjei -- Adam McQuaid
Kevin Shattenkirk -- Brendan Smith
Henrik Lundqvist
Alexandar Georgiev
Scratched: Tony DeAngelo
Injured: Fredrik Claesson (shoulder), Brett Howden (knee)

Devils projected lineup

Marcus Johansson -- Nico Hischier -- Kyle Palmieri
Miles Wood -- Travis Zajac -- Blake Coleman
Brett Seney -- Pavel Zacha -- Jesper Bratt
Brian Boyle --
Kevin Rooney
-- Drew Stafford
Andy Greene -- Damon Severson
Will Butcher -- Mirco Mueller
Egor Yakovlev -- Steven Santini
Keith Kinkaid
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scratched: Kurtis Gabriel
Injured: Taylor Hall (lower body), Sami Vatanen (concussion), Joey Anderson (ankle), Stefan Noesen (lower body), Ben Lovejoy (upper body), Cory Schneider (abdominal strain)

Status report

Zuccarello practiced Wednesday and could return after missing one game with a foot infection. ... Howden will be out 3-4 weeks with a sprained MCL. He was left the 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday at 13:35 of the first period. ... Vatanen is out indefinitely. … Hall has not skated the past three days and saw a doctor Thursday. … Blackwood was recalled from Binghamton of the American Hockey League. … The Devils acquired defenseman Ryan Murphy from the Minnesota Wild for defenseman Michael Kapla on Wednesday. Murphy reported to Binghamton.

Stat pack

Lundqvist has more wins (36) and shutouts (eight) against New Jersey than against any other NHL opponent. ... Zajac has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his past five games.