The Devils will host the Stars tonight at The Rock. Losers of three straight, they’re looking to get back on track. Following a New Year’s Eve victory over Eastern Conference leader Pittsburgh, they’re 0-2-1 and enter play 17-18-9 with 43 points. Currently sixth in the Metro Division, they trail the third place Rangers by four and must climb over Carolina and Washington.

With 38 games remaining, time is of the essence. Losing to the Blackhawks in an exciting home game Jan. 3 was expected. However, consecutive defeats to the Sabres and second place Flyers have them in trouble.

At least they found a way to earn a point in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to their I-95 rival. With Martin Brodeur on the bench, Marek Zidlicky found Michael Ryder for the tying shorthanded goal at 19:30. A well executed play that Andy Greene helped set up. Leading scorer Jaromir Jagr, who tied former Pens’ teammate Mario Lemieux for seventh all-time on the NHL scoring list with an assist for point 1,723- was in front drawing attention which created a seam for Zidlicky to set up Ryder for his team-leading 14th.

With Patrik Elias on injured reserve, they need others to step up. Adam Henrique’s been better lately tallying six points over his last six including four goals. After doing virtually nothing the first half, he’s showing signs of life. Up to 10 goals and 10 assists, his 20 points rank sixth in team scoring. Ryane Clowe, who recently returned from a concussion, has two assists in six games. Finally healthy, he’s definitely helped balance out the lineup. His grit and physicality is needed.

The Devils have gotten strong play from Zidlicky and Greene on the back end. Zidlicky ranks third in scoring with 23 points (7-16-23) including a team best five power play goals. Overlooked entirely by Team USA, Greene has been their most consistent defenseman totaling seven goals and 15 helpers for 22 points which is tied with Ryder for fourth on the team. On pace for a career season, the 31-year old who signed with the club as a free agent in 2006 is a bargain earning $3.25 million this season and $3.5 million next year. Considering what similar players will command this summer, GM Lou Lamoriello might want to give thought to extending him. Meanwhile, Zidlicky earns $3 million and is a UFA this summer. He’s 36. The Devils must decide if he’s worth retaining. The production speaks for itself.

In order for the team to stay alive in the playoff race, they’ll need Travis Zajac to continue contributing. He has a goal and assist over the last four. A key two-way center who takes draws and is a strong penalty killer, he needs to chip in offensively. On a better roster, he could get by as a solid checking line pivot. With Dainius Zubrus ice cold without a point in seven, it’s up to coach Pete DeBoer to find the right combinations. That includes 20-year old rookie Reid Boucher, who has one goal and four assists in his first 16 games. He’s getting around 15 to 16 shifts. Andrei Loktionov is getting less. A shifty skater, he has three goals and five assists in 38 contests. He might need more ice-time. That won’t happen tonight. He’s a scratch.

DeBoer relies on his checking line of Ryan Carter, Steve Bernier and Stephen Gionta. Carter has been in and out of the lineup. Finally back, he helps stabilize the club at center. Bernier at times has been decent producing three goals and six assists but is a team worst minus-15. Gionta has five points in 31 games. He’s best utilized on the penalty kill where he creates shorthanded opportunities.

The lack of scoring depth has been a sore spot. Losing Damien Brunner really hurt. The 27-year old forward who was named to Switzerland’s Olympic roster was starting to turn his season around when he went down to a right knee injury. He’s missed the last eight games and isn’t expected back until probably the end of the month. Brunner had four goals and an assist in his last five games before sustaining the injury against Anaheim on Dec. 20, 2013. For the season, he has eight goals and five assists for 13 points.

Also on the mend is Adam Larsson. In his third year, the 21-year old Swedish blueliner has missed over a month with a lower body injury. He’s played in just 20 games totaling a goal and two helpers. This is an important season for Larsson, who turns restricted this summer. He earns $925,000. That will increase regardless. Astonishingly, he was assigned to Albany two hours ago. In his place, Jon Merrill has been inconsistent. With two assists and a minus-seven rating in 22 games, the 21-year old 2010 second round pick is hardly a finished product. Eric Gelinas’ recent struggles makes it tougher. The Devils reclaimed Alex Urbom and assigned him to Albany.

Currently, the Devils’ blueline is Greene, Zidlicky, Merrill, Mark Fayne, Bryce Salvador and Anton Volchenkov. Gelinas will also return to the lineup meaning they’ll go with seven defensemen against Dallas. Cory Schneider gets the start.

The Stars also have lost three in a row. In losses to Montreal, Detroit and at the Islanders, they’ve been outscored 18-8. They’ve allowed at least four goals during the losing streak. In a 7-3 defeat to the Islanders, they led 2-0 before the roof caved in. The Islanders outscored them 7-1 highlighted by John Tavares’ hat trick. Afterwards, former Sabres’ coach Lindy Ruff fumed calling it the worst effort of the season. Not surprisingly, Ruff’s shaken things up for tonight. He’s reshuffled all four lines.

“You want to see how players respond to adversity,” Ruff said. “It’s easy when things are going good. I want to see how the guys respond to different situations. We’ve been a good road team and we’ve got to dig ourselves out of a hole on the road. We’ve been fortunate that some teams around us have lost some games, so we’re still right there.”

Here are both teams’ projected lines courtesy of NHL.com.

DALLAS STARS

Jamie Benn-Seguin-Peverley

Cole-Eakin-Nichushkin

Chiasson-Fiddler-Whitney

Roussel-Horcoff-Garbutt

Goligoski-Dillon

Jordie Benn-Gonchar

Connauton-Daley

Lehtonen

Ellis

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Zubrus-Zajac-Jagr

Clowe-Henrique-Ryder

Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Boucher-Sislo

Greene-Fayne

Zidlicky-Merrill

Volchenkov-Salvador

Gelinas

Schneider

Brodeur