Morning briefing
NEWARK, N.J. -- Good morning from the Prudential Center, where the Bruins will play the Devils tonight before kicking off the two-day holiday break.
Some tidbits from the game notes:
* This should be an excellent test for the Bruins, given that the Devils are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and 3-1-1 in their last five. So far this month, the Bruins have only played one team (Washington) that is currently in the top eight in the Eastern Conference.
* Given New Jersey's record, it's surprising how mediocre their special teams are: 20th in the league on the PP (17.3 percent) and 26th on the PK (79.5 percent).
* Old friend Jay Leach has gotten good minutes since his recall. Against Philadelphia on Monday, Leach played 20:34, the most ice time he's seen this season.
* Don Koharski and David Banfield will be the referees. Jean Morin and Derek Nansen will be the linesmen.
- Amalie Benjamin, Globe Bruins reporter
- Fluto Shinzawa, Globe NHL reporter