The set-up: The 17-18-9 New Jersey Devils beat the Flames 2-1 Friday in Calgary but it was New Jersey's lone victory in its past five games and just the fourth in 10. They are in Vancouver tonight to face the 20-19-5 Canucks, who return home after a pair one one-goal loses on the road, in Philadelphia on Thursday and two nights earlier in Nashville.

New Jersey: The Devils beat Calgary just 2-1 but dominated the Flames, out-shooting them 34-14. New Jersey is hoping to regain the form that allowed them to earn at least a point in 12 of its first 15 games before suffering through a swoon that began in mid-November and lasted until after Christmas. Friday's 2-1 victory in Calgary did give New Jersey points in five of seven (3-2-2) this month.

Vancouver: Thursday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Flyers was the Canucks' third in a row (all on the road) but the team has earned at least a point in eight of nine games. Head coach Willie Desjardins is keeping the faith while his skeptics remain highly doubtful. Goalie Ryan Miller gave up four goals on Thursday, ending a six-game stretch in which he had allowed two or fewer tallies. Note that the veteran goalie has not lost in regulation since Dec. 22 and owns a .940 save percentage in that span!

The pick: The Devils have won four straight in the series, including a 3-2 victory Dec. 6 in New Jersey but goaltender Cory Schneider is just 12-14-7 on the season and playing well below his past standards. The Devils are only 7-12-6 on the road, averaging under two goals per game (1.96), while the Canucks are 15-6-2 on home ice. Make Vancouver a 10* play.