Markstrom will make his first post-Olympic start on Thursday as Jake Allen got the nod in Wednesday's loss to the Sabres. Markstrom has struggled to maintain any sort of consistent form this season, logging a 15-13-1 record and an .882 SV% across 30 appearances. He and the Devils enter action on Thursday as slight underdogs at +130 on the money line.
Jakob Markstrom was busy for Team Sweden at the Olympics and will get some extra rest in New Jersey's return to action, with Allen set to tend the twine on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 35-year-old Allen struggled heading into the Olympic break, losing six of his last seven (1-6-0) while posting a subpar 3.08 GAA and .880 SV%. The Devils enter the action on Wednesday as slight -107 home favourites against a Sabres team that defeated them 3-1 in their previous meeting.
Jakob Markstrom was busy for Team Sweden at the Olympics and will get some extra rest in New Jersey's return to action, with Allen set to tend the twine on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 35-year-old Allen struggled heading into the Olympic break, losing six of his last seven (1-6-0) while posting a subpar 3.08 GAA and .880 SV%. The Devils enter the action on Wednesday as slight -107 home favourites against a Sabres team that defeated them 3-1 in their previous meeting.
Hughes lost teeth late in the Gold Medal game at the Olympics on Sunday, but returned to action to score in overtime and secure the victory for Team USA. The 24-year-old Hughes has received significant media attention since scoring his historic goal for the Americans, but is expected to be ready to play for New Jersey on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Hughes has 36 points (12G / 24A) in 36 games and will try to build off the momentum from the Olympics to help the Devils inch closer to playoff contention.
It looked like Markstrom may start on Friday, but Sweden ultimately went back to Filip Gustavsson, in what would turn out to be a loss to Finland. So Markstrom will make his tournament debut today vs. Slovakia, his first international start since last year's World Championships. He was 4-2-0 with a 2.14 GAA and .894 SV% in that tournament and is 15-13-1 with a 3.20 GAA and .882 SV% with the Devils this season.
With recent acquisition of Nick Bjugstad in a trade from the St. Louis Blues, the Devils have placed Lammikko on waivers, with the intention of terminating his contract. The 30-year-old Lammikko averaged 9:53 time-on-ice and scored two assists in 24 games with the Devils this season.
Bjugstad had been used sparingly by the Blues this season and will hope for a bigger role after being acquired in a trade by the New Jersey Devils. The 33-year-old averaged 11:38 time-on-ice and had seven points (6G / 1A) in 35 games with the Blues this season. Luke Glendening will exit the lineup to accommodate Bjugstad's debut.
The struggling Devils hope to enter the Olympic break on a high note, turning to Allen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 35-year-old Allen played well in his most recent outing, but did not receive ample goal support, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Allen hasn't been awful by any stretch, posting a 3.06 GAA and .898 SV% in his last nine games, but has only salvaged a 2-6-1 record. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as -109 home favourites against an Islanders team coming off a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The struggling Devils hope to enter the Olympic break on a high note, turning to Allen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 35-year-old Allen played well in his most recent outing, but did not receive ample goal support, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Allen hasn't been awful by any stretch, posting a 3.06 GAA and .898 SV% in his last nine games, but has only salvaged a 2-6-1 record. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as -109 home favourites against an Islanders team coming off a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
With recent acquisition of Nick Bjugstad in a trade from the St. Louis Blues, the Devils have assigned Lammikko to the Utica Comets (AHL). The 30-year-old Lammikko averaged 9:53 time-on-ice and scored two assists in 24 games with the Devils this season.
Bjugstad had been used sparingly by the Blues this season and will hope for a bigger role after being acquired in a trade by the New Jersey Devils. The 33-year-old averaged 11:38 time-on-ice and had seven points (6G / 1A) in 35 games with the Blues this season.
Hughes will not play in New Jersey's final game before the Olympic Break, as the medical staff has deemed him not ready. That said, he is nearing a return, and his status for Team USA at the upcoming Winter Olympics does not appear to be in jeopardy. Before his injury, Hughes was starting to get into an offensive rhythm, with 12 points (1G / 11A) in his last 10 games.
The Devils will hand Markstrom his 29th start of the season when they host the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Markstrom was excellent in his last start, stopping 27 of the 29 shots he faced in a 3-2 win over the Predators on Thursday. The 36-year-old brings a 15-12-1 record and an .881 SV% into Tuesday night's matchup, where the Devils enter action at -110 on the money line.
After a solid 20-goal season with Dallas in 2024-25, Dadonov's first season in New Jersey has been disappointing, and he will head to the press box as a healthy scratch on Tuesday. The 26-year-old forward has zero points through 16 games this season. Juho Lammikko will draw into the lineup as Dadonov's replacement.
Evgenii Dadonov will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Lammikko to re-enter the lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 30-year-old Lammikko is averaging 9:59 time-on-ice and has two assists in 23 games this season.
Hughes will not play on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and it is unclear what his status is for New Jersey's final game before the Olympic Break on Thursday against the New York Islanders. That said, he is nearing a return and his status for Team USA at the upcoming Winter Olympics does not appear to be in jeopardy. Before his injury, Hughes was starting to get into an offensive rhythm, with 12 points (1G / 11A) in his last 10 games.
