FINAL MIN PREGAME

The Devils face off against the Minnesota Wild tonight, returning home right before Thanksgiving.
You can watch the game on MSG+ or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

YOUR GAME-DAY ESSENTIALS

11.24.21photo

INSIDE THE DEVILS

Keep up to date on the latest details from Devils practices and injury updates including yesterday's practice in New Jersey and the launch of the Devils third jersey.
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PRE-GAME STORY

NEWARK, N.J. -After three straight games on the road, the Devils return home to face the Minnesota Wild tonight.
The morning skate was an optional one so there isn't a lot of info on who may be in or out tonight but one thing for certain is Chase De Leo will make his Devils debut. De Leo was called up on Tuesday while Alexander Holtz was sent back to Utica.
De Leo talked about getting the news of the recall.
"I think it's always exciting," he began. "Making the first phone call to my parents, letting them know. It's what we all work for and dream for our whole lives is to be in the NHL. Every day in the NHL is a good day."
De Leo has played five games previously in the NHL -- three with the Ducks and two with the Jets. He talked about what he needs in order to gain a permanent spot on an NHL roster.
"It's an experience thing. Nobody can teach you when you first turn pro," he said. "It's a hard league to make and once you make the NHL, it's even harder to stay. I know what it takes. I've played alongside a lot of good players. Last year in Anaheim, working with David Backes and seeing what it takes to be a professional."
De Leo leads the Utica Comets in scoring with 14 points in only eight games played. The team itself has played 13 games total and if off to the greatest start in AHL history at 13-0-0. De Leo was asked about what he could bring from that successful Utica team to New Jersey.
"Definitely good vibes. I think everything is better when you're winning hockey games. The positive energy. It's a great environment when you're winning games and scoring a lot of goals. Hoping to continue the success and bring the good vibes up here."
Devils head coach Lindy Ruff was asked what De Leo can bring to the lineup.
"With Boqvist out, it's another opportunity for us to get a player up and look at him," Ruff said. "He's got a tenacity to his game and deserves the opportunity. Can he bring the speed and pace that we'll be missing with what Boqvist brought us in the middle of the ice."
STOPPING KAPRIZOV
Kirill Kaprizov, last year's Calder Trophy winner as NHL Rookie of the Year, is off to another solid start with 18 points in 18 games. Playing on Minnesota's top line with Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello, Ruff was asked what the Devils game plan is to limit Kaprizov's offense.
"He's got a great shot, he's got real good quickness. If we can push him to the outside, we can help limit his opportunities," Ruff said, adding that depth is another concern for Minnesota.
"When you look at their team, they're a strong team with four lines. He's part of a line that's really playing well for them. We deal with that line, how they need to play and what they're looking for. We talk about the other lines and what their speciality is and try to defend them a certain way."
-- Marc Ciampa, NewJerseyDevils.com

PREVIEW

DEVILS (8-5-3) vs. WILD (11-6-1)
TV: 7 p.m. ET; Televised on MSG+
Head-to-Head:
The Devils host the Wild for the first time since Nov. 26, 2019 where New Jersey fell 3-2. The last time the Devils beat the Wild was on the road was Feb. 15, 2019 with a score of 5-4.
Devils Team Scope:
After losing to the Florida Panthers during the first game of the Florida road trip, the Devils overcame a 3-1 deficit in the third period to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-3. The win over the defending Stanley Cup champions ended a three-game winless skid for the Devils.
Rookie forward Dawson Mercer and winger Jesper Bratt are tied as point leaders with 12 apiece. Mercer's goal - assist breakdown is an even six for each, while Bratt has contributed four goals and eight assists. Pavel Zacha leads the Devils in goals scored with seven.
Mackenzie Blackwood started both games of the Florida roadtrip, with Bernier relieving the goaltender during the Panthers contest. Blackwood's win against the Lightning was his first career win and game against Tampa Bay.
P.K. Subban has six points in his last six games (1G-5A) which is tied for fourth amongst all NHL defensemen. Yegor Sharangovich scored his first and second goals of the season against Tampa Bay. Even better, his goals were the first Devils goal of the contest and the game winner.
Wild Team Scope:
The Wild are off to a solid start - winning five of its eight games in October and starting November with a four-game win streak. However, Minnesota comes into tonight's contest searching for a win after losing two straight. The Wild lost to the Panthers 5-4 on Saturday, and to the Lightning 5-4 in a shootout on Sunday.
Minnesota's points leader is Kirill Kaprizov who has five goals and 13 assists for 18 points. Ryan Hartman leads the Wild in goals with nine. His four assists give him 13 points on the season.
Cam Talbot has started 14 games for the Wild and has a 9-5-0 record. He has a 2.95 goals against average and .905 save percentage. The Wild are on the top of the Central conference standings with 23 points, and are third in the league.
Tonight is the Wild's final road game of the month, before they have a six-game homestand. Minnesota and New Jersey play in the Hockey State on Dec. 2 which will close the season's series.
By the Numbers:
When Yegor Sharangovich broke his 13-game goal drought against the Lightning, he also recorded his second career multi-goal game. The only other contest in which he has scored multiple times was Apr. 29, 2021 against the Flyers. Sharangovich also picked up his fourth career game winning goal, and since the start of the 2020-21 season, only Pavel Zacha has more game winners (5).
Minnesota has scored four or more goals in eight out of their lastten games, which leads the League in goals since Nov. 2. Over the last three games, the Wild have scored 15 goals: seven against the Stars on Nov. 18, and four against the Panthers and Lightning on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Injury Updates:
Devils
Jaros (IR, hand)
Wood (IR, hip)
Thompson (IR, upper body)
Hughes (IR, shoulder)
Wild
Spurgeon (lower body)
-- Catherine Bogart, NewJerseyDevils.com