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The Anaheim Ducks will arrive at the Prudential Center tonight to face the New Jersey Devils in what will be a stern test for them on the road. The Ducks' memories of trips to New Jersey aren't exactly positive, particularly those that stem back to 2003, when unsuccessful visits to the home of the Devils thwarted their chances of winning the Stanley Cup.

Since their defeat in Game 7 in 2003, the Ducks have returned to the scene of such bitter disappointment just once and, although they managed to secure victory on that occasion, Anaheim won't be looking forward to repeating that trip tonight, particularly considering the way the Devils are playing at the moment and the long-term historical record between the two sides.

The Ducks' narrow victory in early 2008 was just the second time they've managed to get past the Devils in New Jersey in 11 attempts since 1993. It seems likely that normal service against the Ducks will be resumed tonight for the Devils, who will start the game full of confidence after five consecutive wins.

The truth is that New Jersey may have been even more self-assured if they were hitting the road tonight, given their hot streak away from the Prudential Center, but they have won their previous two clashes at home, against Washington and the New York Islanders, after a poor start.

They beat Ottawa 3-2 at the weekend with a slightly weakened team (hit by the absence of players including Patrik Elias and Rob Niedermayer), after coming from 2 goals down in a hard-fought game, with the Devils relying heavily on the power play. The legendary Martin Brodeur, who blunted Anaheim's attack in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003, has a 1.87 GAA against the Ducks but he'll have to be on top form tonight against an attack which has been scoring for fun in recent games.

Brodeur let in a weak goal against the Senators when Brian Lee's shot squirmed under his left pad, but he was happy to shrug off this minor disappointment after the game when victory was secured. The Ducks have goaltending concerns of a different nature to contend with and these may well have distracted them in the build-up to tonight's game. Jean-Sebastien Giguere is likely to be available after recovering from a groin strain but Jonas Hiller is thought to be starting for the Ducks tonight after performing well recently.

Hiller has a 2.76 GAA in 13 games so far this season and Giguere has been quoted as saying that he would "rather retire than be a backup goalie" and discontent off the ice is the last thing the Ducks need right now.

All in all, some may call the Devils' style of play boring but few can doubt that it has been effective on the whole so far this season. Patient in attack and resilient in defense, particularly when protecting a lead, this team has secured a multitude of narrow victories using such a strategy but it's working and working well, even when they're being pressured to make a comeback in a game.

At odds of +124 in the Regular Time Match Odds Market and -125 in the Money Line (Inc. OT) Market, getting behind New Jersey tonight is a good move.