Why Devils are entering most important stretch of season

NEWARK -- P.A. Parenteau, Taylor Hall and Cory Schneider will lead the New Jersey Devils into their first game of the season against a Metropolitan Division rival, the New York Islanders, led by John Tavares, Andrew Ladd and Johnny Boychuk. The Devils trail the Islanders by four points in the standings, and both team will aim to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

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Cammalleri 'displeased' with healthy scratch

Here's what you need to know about the game:

What: New Jersey Devils (24-23-10) vs. New York Islanders (26-20-10)

When: 7 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017

Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey

TV: MSG

Radio: WFAN/TOJN

Devils injuries: Kyle Quincey (IR, day-to-day, upper body)

More to know: The Devils made a big lineup shake up after several weeks of stability with their lines. Forward Michael Cammalleri will sit as a healthy scratch, while Devante Smith-Pelly and Joseph Blandisi will enter the lineup.

Kalinin cleared waivers on Saturday. Shortly after being optioned to Albany in the AHL, Kalinin was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for defenseman Viktor Loov, who will report to Albany.

Here are the expected lines for the Devils against the Islanders:

FORWARDS
Taylor Hall-Travis Zajac-Kyle Palmieri
Beau Bennett-Adam Henrique-P.A. Parenteau
Pavel Zacha-Jacob Josefson-Stefan Noesen
Miles Wood-Joseph Blandisi-Devante Smith-Pelly

DEFENSEMEN
Andy Greene-Ben Lovejoy
Jon Merrill-Damon Severson
John Moore-Steven Santini

GOALIES
Starter: Cory Schneider
Backup: Keith Kinkaid

Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook.

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