Bruins vs Devils Picks & Props

The Devils (41-29-7, 89 points) have been idle since a 4-0 win Saturday over the New York Rangers, giving New Jersey a 10-point cushion over New York for third place in the Metropolitan Division. The second-place Carolina Hurricanes are seven points clear of New Jersey for second.

"Everyone was digging in," Devils forward Nico Hischier said of Saturday's game. "We're not done, for sure. We still have a couple important games left. That's a big win -- (against) a team that's chasing us. Now we look forward to the next game."

Several of New Jersey's top players have been helping to lead through this crucial time of the season, including Hischier, who recorded a goal and two assists against the Rangers to give him seven points during a three-game point streak. Timo Meier scored twice.

Those players have been especially important without star Jack Hughes, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last month.

Meier has drawn more power-play time as a result, helping the unit convert in five of its last seven games and scoring twice himself in that span.

"You start to get more points and feel better about your game," Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said.

Saturday also marked Jacob Markstrom's fourth shutout of the season (26 saves), but his first since returning from an 11-game knee injury absence last month.

"We kind of started our playoffs like two or three weeks ago. We were in a dogfight and we're still not fully clinched yet," defenseman Brenden Dillon said. "We just know we want to be feeling good about our game going into the playoffs. Having veterans (with big-game experience), it's important. ... It's an exciting time. This is when you want to have those types of situations."

The Bruins' recent effort was a bit of a microcosm of their season. After snapping their 10-game skid on Saturday against Carolina, Boston (31-38-9, 71 points) fell back to its inconsistent play the next night by taking a 2-0 lead before allowing the final four goals of an eventual 6-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

"The first period, we played some good hockey, but then in the second, we just came out flat," Boston center Elias Lindholm said. "Obviously, we never recovered, really. Just weren't good enough, it's as simple as that."

The weekend was all about Boston's top line of Morgan Geekie, Lindholm and David Pastrnak, who combined for seven goals and 18 points over the two games.

Pastrnak recorded a hat trick and five points on Saturday, and after dishing out three assists on Sunday, he became the first player in franchise history to contribute to 10 or more consecutive goals for the team.

Lindholm and Morgan Geekie scored Boston's first two goals in Buffalo. Geekie is one away from 30 on the season.

"We need more of a balanced attack," Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco said. "There's no question we're looking for other people to contribute offensively -- and not only offensively, but defensively as well. That's part of the game too. But, we'll look at (the lineup) and see what we need to do for the next game."

Dawson Mercer scored twice while Hischier had a goal and two assists in host New Jersey's 5-1 win over Boston on Jan. 22. The third and final meeting in the teams' three-game season series is next Tuesday in Boston, which marks the Bruins' season finale.

--Field Level Media