What you need to know before the Devils and Americans take to the Times Union Center ice:
-Season: This is the 4th and final meeting between the two teams, with Albany holding a 2-1 edge. Last meeting was on December 4th in Rochester, with the Devils and Jeff Frazee getting the 2-0 shutout. The road team has won each game: Rochester won 6-4 in Albany on November 6th, and Albany took a 4-0 win (also a Jeff Frazee shutout) on November 20th in Rochester. The Amerks are the only Western Conference opponent the Devils face this season.
-Standings: Rochester begins the day in 7th (and last) place in the North Division, checking in with a record of 20-23-3-2, good for 45 points. They sit 3 points behind Grand Rapids for 6th. After a loss to the first place Penguins, the Devils remain in 6th place in the East Division, with a record of 18-24-0-3, good for 39 points, 1 ahead of Syracuse and 12 behind Binghamton for 5th.
-Scoring: The Amerks are lead by winger Michal Repik, with 40 points (8 G, 32 A) and defenseman (and All Star) Clay Wilson with 30 points (8 G, 22 A). Jacob Markstrom and Tyler Plante are the goaltending tandem, Markstrom leading the way with 15 wins. On the home side, no change at the top…Matt Anderson still leading all skaters with 31 points (16 G, 15 A) followed by Michael Swift with 28 points (16 G, 12 A). Mike McKenna will be looking to rebound from being yanked from his second straight Friday start, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if Dave Caruso gets the starting nod at some point, considering he has done well in relief.
-Miscellaneous: Very interesting game promotion tonight at the TU Center. It’s Pucks and Paws Night. For an extra 5 bucks (I believe that is the fee, not bringing a dog because I have cats), you can bring your dog to the game. The upstairs curtains will actually be turned up so dogs and their owners can sit upstairs. The big question is, if the dogs have “business” to do, where do they go? Wonder if there’s room in the visitors penalty box…anyway curious to see how many dogs come out…and how the attendance shakes out.
Game time 7:00. I will be in attendance doing it all as normal…
Thoughts Inside The Box 