Game 31 Preview - Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New Jersey Devils - 12/10/2013

The Opponent:

The Blue Jackets will be welcoming the New Jersey Devils to Nationwide Arena for the second time this season.  The previous instance was a 4-1 Blue Jackets win on October 22, the Jackets taking the victory at the expense of Corey Schneider in the Devils' net.  Tonight it will be future Hall-of-Famer Martin Brodeur in net for the Devs.  The Devils are 12-13-6, 3 points ahead of the Blue Jackets with one more game played, good for 5th in the Metropolitan Division, winning their last game on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers.  The Devils are lead in scoring by Jaromir Jagr, with 24 points (11 G, 13 A). Statistically, Corey Schneider is the better of the two goalies so far this season.

The Blue Jackets:

The Jackets are coming of a hard-fought matchup with the division and conference leading Pittsburgh Penguins, losing the battle by a final of 2-1.  In the game they played as solidly as they have in just about any game this season.  Matt Calvert has the lone goal of the night for the Jackets, scoring late with the extra attacker on.  Ryan Johansen had an assist on the goal, running his scoring streak to 5 games.  Johansen leads the team in scoring with 23 points and 10 goals.  James Wisniewski leads in assists with 16, but will still be out with an upper body injury.  Ryan Murray has taken the team lead in plus-minus with a +5.  Lineups are expected to be the same as last night's game in Pittsburgh, with Curtis McElhinney getting the start in net once again.

The Prediction:

The Blue Jackets played a very strong game against the Devils when they met in October, and should come out and play a similar game tonight.  And with that level of play they should win again.  A win would be important as they are only 3 points behind the Devils and they can draw to within 1 point with a regulation win.  It can also draw them even on points with the Flyers.  These divisional matchups can be very important for climbing through the ranks and getting into position to make the playoffs.

Blue Jackets win, 4-3