The Bruins Vs Devils matchup features full projected lines, injury statuses and clear implications for the Atlantic Division race as the teams meet at the Prudential Center tonight. The Bruins arrive having won their most recent game in a shootout; the Devils seek to finish a seven-game homestand with another win.
Bruins Vs Devils Projected Lineups
Projected forward and defensive combinations are set for both clubs, with scratches and injuries noted. The Boston forward group lists David Pastrnak, Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov on one line; Casey Mittelstadt, Pavel Zacha and Viktor Arvidsson on another; Alex Steeves, Elias Lindholm and Morgan Geekie; and Tanner Jeannot, Sean Kuraly and Mark Kastelic. Michael Eyssimont, Andrew Peeke and Jordan Harris are scratched.
New Jersey’s forward lines show Timo Meier, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer; Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes and Connor Brown; Arseny Gritsyuk, Cody Glass and Lenni Hameenaho; and Paul Cotter, Nick Bjugstad and Maxim Tsyplakov. Colton White, Dennis Cholowski and Evgenii Dadonov are scratched. Injured on the Devils’ list are Stefan Noesen (knee), Zack MacEwen (ACL) and Brett Pesce (lower body).
Goaltending and lineup notes include Korpisalo starting for the first time in four games for New Jersey, and Jokiharju returning to play after missing seven games as a healthy scratch. The Devils are using the same combinations they used in a recent 6-4 win over the Los Angeles team.
Standings Implications, Recent Form and Player To Watch
The teams enter the game with differing context: the Devils are 33-31-2 and sit with the second-fewest points in the Eastern Conference at 68, while the Bruins are 37-23-6 and are carrying momentum from a shootout win over Washington in their previous outing. A Bruins victory would create a specific points outcome that would tie them with the Montreal club at 82 points and would guarantee they remain ahead of Detroit in the Atlantic Division even if Detroit wins its game; the converse is also clear—if the Bruins lose and Detroit wins, Detroit would move back ahead in the standings.
New Jersey is looking to complete a seven-game homestand on a high note; the team has won four of six during the stretch. The key player to monitor is Nico Hischier, who posted four points—two goals and two assists—in the Devils’ recent 6-4 win and currently leads the team in goals. Hischier ranks in the top five in franchise history for goals.
What To Watch Tonight And Next Steps
Watch for whether the Devils’ unchanged lines and Korpisalo in net sustain their recent scoring success and homestand momentum, and whether Boston can convert its recent form into the two points that carry tangible division and conference consequences. Injury statuses and scratches leave both rosters with defined roles; Jokiharju’s return to the lineup and Korpisalo’s start are immediate roster changes that could shape matchups.
The game will resolve where the standings move next for both clubs and whether New Jersey can finish its homestand with a win or Boston will seize the opportunity to strengthen its position in the Atlantic race.
