Preview: Bruins return home to face the Devils

Just the facts

When: Tuesday, 7 PM

Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA

How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Rival SBN site: All About the Jersey

Know the enemy

• Team: 24-13-8, 56 PTS, second in the Metropolitan Division
• Taylor Hall: 43 GP, 17G-31A-48PTS
• Jesper Bratt: 44 GP, 12G-18A-30PTS
• Nico Hischier: 45 GP, 8G-20A-28PTS
• Cory Schneider: 33 GS, 17-9-6, 2.74 GAA, 0.915 save percentage

Game notes

• The Bruins caught a break with this one before the game even started, as Hall will miss the game with a hand injury. The former Oiler has had a great season in Jersey, and their offense will be much less dynamic with him on the shelf.
• The Bruins will be nice and rested, waiting for the Devils to get to town as Jersey played Detroit in Newark on Monday night. Always good to take advantage of a tired opponent.
• Cory Schneider looks to be back to full health, having missed the last few games due to illness. He was slated to start Monday night.
• With Schneider starting Monday and rebounding from an illness, it’d be a little surprising to see him tonight too. With Keith Kinkaid on IR, rookie Ken Appleby (gotta be one of the least hockey-sounding games ever, huh?) is the back-up now. He may make his first NHL start at the Garden.
• The Bruins will have to adjust to life without Charlie McAvoy for a few games, which is no small task. The rookie has shouldered a monster load minutes-wise this season, and won’t be easy to replace. In all likelihood, Kevan Miller, a right shot like McAvoy, slots back in.
• Expect Tuukka Rask between the pipes, as he’s coming off a strong performance in Montreal.
• Former Bruins Drew Stafford and Jimmy Hayes have struggled to crack the Devils lineup in recent weeks. Stafford has found himself an occasional healthy scratch, while Hayes didn’t see the ice for nearly a month. Stafford has 10 points in 34 games, while Hayes has 9 points in 23. One of the two may end up in Albany once Brian Gibbons gets back to health.

Never forget

CHARLES!