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Boston Bruins: Getting to Know the New Division Opponents for 2021

By Scott Roche

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 10: Tyler Pitlick #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers and Connor Clifton #75 of the Boston Bruins collide in the third period at Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bruins won 2-0. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 10: Tyler Pitlick #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers and Connor Clifton #75 of the Boston Bruins collide in the third period at Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bruins won 2-0. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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Boston Bruins
NEWARK, NJ – FEBRUARY 11: Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Boston Bruins at Prudential Center on February 11, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The Boston Bruins defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-3. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

 New Jersey Devils

It feels like the Devils have been in rebuild mode for years. This season, things shouldn’t change.

They do have young star Jack Hughes to build around, while center Nico Hischier and right wing Kyle Palmieri are other forwards to keep an eye on. The 19-year-old Hughes had seven goals and 14 assists in his first pro season in 2019-20 in 61 games. Hughes also had four power play goals and five power play assists.

Palmieri in five seasons with the Devils has 132 goals and 117 assists. Keep an eye on him when the Bruins and Devils play as he could be a trade target for Bruins general manager Don Sweeney at the trade deadline this season if the Devils are struggling again.

Related Story. Boston Bruins: An under the radar trade target for Don Sweeney. light

New Jersey signed former Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford to a two-year, $7.8 million contract to take over the netminding duties for the next two seasons.

Like Buffalo, the Devils did little to address their woes on defense. Last season, New Jersey had the fourth-worst goal differential in the league. Only the San Jose Sharks, Senators, and Red Wings were worse. They are hoping that Crawford could lower them from a minus-41 differential, but he can’t do it alone.

New Jersey is three years removed from their last playoff spot in 2018 when they lost to the Lightning in five games in the First Round, but things still don’t seem to be trending in the right direction in 2021.

This is another team that the Bruins would be wise to collect as many points as they can to help them in the standings.

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