Boston @ New Jersey preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 12, 2019 ) New Jersey 0, Boston 3

The Boston Bruins got off to a blistering start in their bid to return to the Stanley Cup Finals, but they have cooled off with only one victory in their last six games. The Bruins still have earned points in four straight games (1-0-3), courtesy of three shootout losses, entering Tuesday night's matchup against the host New Jersey Devils.

Each of the last three setbacks have come at home for Boston, which followed up a 4-2 victory in Toronto with a 3-2 shootout loss to Washington on Saturday to fall to 0-5 in games that go beyond regulation. "We haven't been able to pull the win out of shootouts," leading scorer David Pastrnak said. "Usually shootouts are 50-50. These days it's probably 20-80." The Devils got off to a wretched start with losses in their first six games (0-4-2), including a 3-0 defeat in Boston, but have won five of eight following back-to-back victories over Pittsburgh and Montreal. “We’ve been in so many devastating positions this season where we’ve lost games late, been scored on late in periods. We’re happy to see all that stuff behind us,” defenseman P.K. Subban said after New Jersey erased a two-goal deficit in a 4-3 overtime win over the Canadiens.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet East/Ontario/West, MSG (New Jersey), NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE BRUINS (12-3-5): No. 1 center Patrice Bergeron (lower body) sat out Saturday's game and did not practice Monday, but there was some good news on the injury front for Boston. Jake DeBrusk (lower body), a 27-goal scorer last season, returned to practice Monday after sitting out five contests and is listed as a game-time decision along with fellow forward Brett Ritchie, who also rejoined the team. Forward Brad Marchand has 20 points in 30 games versus the Devils after collecting a goal and an assist last month.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (7-8-4): Goaltender Cory Schneider, a two-time All-Star with New Jersey, was placed on waivers Monday and will be sent to Binghamtom if he goes unclaimed. Schneider made six appearances this season and has been dogged by injuries the previous two seasons. "The way the schedule comes now, we didn't see him getting into a lot of games in the next couple of weeks," coach John Hynes said. "We had a similar situation with him last year, he came back and played well for us at the end of the year."

OVERTIME

1. Bruins G Tuukka Rask is 9-4-2 with a 1.34 goals-against average and four shutouts versus New Jersey.

2. The Devils called up G Louis Domingue from their AHL affiliate in Binghamton.

3. Boston recalled F Brendan Gaunce and D Urho Vaakanainen from Providence of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTION: Bruins 3, Devils 1