Macdermid will re-enter the lineup on Friday as the Devils opt to get some fresh bodies into the lineup for the tail-end of the back to back. Nathan Bastian will sit in his place.
Pesce signed a six-year contract to join New Jersey in the offseason after nine successful seasons on Carolina's blueline and finally make his Devils debut on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, recording three shots in 17:33 time-on-ice. He was a game-time decision on Friday against the New York Islanders as the Devils considered easing him back into the lineup. In 70 games in 2023-24, Pesce had three goals, 13 points, 20 PIMs, and a +10 plus/minus while averaging 20:17 TOI/GP.
Hughes played his first game of the season on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings after suffering a shoulder injury in mid-September and recorded one assist in 15:11 time-on-ice. He was a game-time decision on Friday against the New York Islanders as the Devils considered easing him back into the lineup. In 2023-24, he had nine goals, 47 points, 135 SOG, 28 PIMs, and a -25 plus/minus in 82 games, finishing third place in voting for the Calder trophy.
Commesso is yet to make his NHL debut. The 22-year-old netminder was selected 46th overall by Chicago in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He has a 1-1-0 record and an .854 SV% in two AHL games this season. Isak Phillips was sent down to make room for Commesso.
Phillips is yet to play in an NHL game this season. In 33 games with the Blackhawks last season, he registered 0 goals and 6 assists. Goaltender Drew Commesso was called up in his place.
Fresh off of signing a seven-year, $51.975 million contract extension ($7,425,000 AAV), Theodore will draw back into the Golden Knights' lineup after missing one game due to illness. The 29-year-old Theodore is off to a blistering start to the 2024-25 season, with seven points (1G / 6A), three on the powerplay, in six games.
After serving as the backup to Ilya Samsonov for the last two games, the Golden Knights will return to Adin Hill between the pipes on Friday against the Ottawa Senators. Despite a serviceable 2-2-0 record to start the season, the 28-year-old Hill has struggled, allowing three or more goals in all four of his contests, posting an ugly 3.81 GAA and .851 SV%. That said, the Golden Knights enter action on Friday as -125 home favorites against the Senators.
Shane Pinto will not play on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights, allowing Reinhardt to draw into the lineup for his season debut. The 24-year-old Reinhardt has five points (2G / 3A) in three games this season with the Belleville Senators (AHL).
Pinto didn't show any signs of an ailment in Tuesday's 4-0 win over Utah HC, but was not present at practice on Thursday, and will not play on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 23-year-old Pinto has three points and -3 plus/minus through six game this season. Cole Reinhardt will draw into the Senators' lineup as Pinto's replacement.
Ullmark has not dressed since the second game of the season but will return to the Senators' crease on Friday after missing four straight games. In his first two games as a Senator (1-1-0), Ullmark has a respectable 2.58 GAA and .914 SV%. The Senators, winners of two straight, enter action on Friday as +113 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.
After being the Islanders' starting goaltender in the first two games of the season, Varlamov has served as the backup to Ilya Sorokin in four of the last five games. Varlamov is expected to return to the starter's crease on Saturday, the tail end of a back-to-back, and search for his second victory of the season. The 36-year-old Varlamov, in his 17th NHL season, has started the 2024-25 season with undesirable results, showcasing a pedestrian 3.27 GAA and .868 SV% in three games (1-1-1).
Coronato already has two goals in five games this season after only scoring three in 34 games last season. That said, the 21-year-old Coronato, the Flames' 13th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, has been reassigned to the Calgary Wranglers (AHL), where he spent most of the 2023-24 campaign, tallying 42 points (15G / 27A) in 41 games.
Patrick Roy and the Islanders coaching staff will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on the front end of a back-to-back. After serving as the backup to Semyon Varlamov in the first two games of the season, Friday's start against the New Jersey Devils will make four starts for Sorokin in the last five games. The 29-year-old Sorokin has been excellent to start the 2024-25 season despite a modest 1-1-1 record, posting a stellar 1.34 GAA and .947 SV%. The Islanders enter action on Friday as +119 road underdogs against the Devils.
Bjugstad suffered an upper-body in the preseason and has missed the first eight games of the season but will make his debut on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 32-year-old Bjugstad had a career-high 22 goals in 76 games last season.
With a hot start to the 2024-25 season, scoring seven points (4G / 3A) in his first seven games, Lafreniere has been rewarded with a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension. After struggling to live up to his status as a 1st overall draft pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Lafreniere has established himself as an offensive threat in the league since the latter part of last season. The 23-year-old Lafreniere has collected 37 points (21G / 16A) in his previous 41 games after only tallying 118 points (58G / 60A) in his first 263.
After rolling with Alex Nedeljkovic for two straight games (0-1-1), the Penguins will turn back to Blomqvist between the pipes on Friday evening against the Edmonton Oilers. The Penguins have had suspect goaltending all season, ranking worst in the league with 35 goals allowed in eight games (3-4-1), but have had a glimmer of stability with Blomqvist in the crease. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has a 3.16 GAA and .908 SV% in four outings this season (2-2-0). The Penguins enter action on Friday as +191 road underdogs against the Oilers.
Emberson was a healthy scratch on Tuesday but will re-enter the lineup on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 24-year-old Emberson has zero points, a -3 plus/minus, five blocks, and six hits through five games this season.
Novak was a fifth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old made his North American professional hockey debut last season, splitting time between the Iowa Heartlanders (ECHL) and the Iowa Wild (AHL).
Ruhwedel has been sidelined for six of seven games this season and will report to Hartford (AHL) after clearing waivers on Friday. The 34-year-old Ruhwedel recorded a +2 plus/minus in 14:04 time-on-ice in his only game this season.
Misyul got his first taste of NHL action earlier this week, recording a -1 plus/minus in 12:23 time-on-ice, but will return to the Utica Comets (AHL). The 24-year-old Misyul was the 70th overall pick of the Devils in 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Misyul had 14 points (4G / 10A) in 44 games with Utica last season.
