Smith returned to action from a one-game absence, scoring a goal in 15:19 time-on-ice in the Devils' most recent game, a 7-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. His status for Friday's game against the Anaheim Ducks is up in the air.
Monahan joins Nikolaj Ehlers, Mason Appleton, and Gabriel Vilardi as game-time decisions ahead of the matchup on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. All four of them played in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars with Monahan being held off the scoresheet for only the second time in the last six games.
McCue was the fifth-round pick (156 overall) of the San Jose Sharks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old McCue has 50 points (24G / 26A) in 52 games with the London Knights of the OHL.
Johnson has struggled offensively this season, highlighted by a 12-game stretch with only one point (0G / 1A) while averaging over 13 minutes of ice time. He will be out of the lineup indefinitely with an upper-body injury.
Merzlikins was terrific against the New York Rangers on Sunday, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%) in a 4-2 victory, and will return to the crease in a rematch on Wednesday night. The Latvian netminder has a 3-2-0 record and a .920 SV% in his last five starts (3-2-0) while allowing three or fewer goals in all but one contest. That said, Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets are significant +211 road underdogs heading into action on Wednesday night.
Fasching has been out of the lineup since before the All-Star break and has been reassigned to Bridgeport (AHL) for conditioning. The depth right-winger has struggled offensively with the Islanders this season, with three goals, eight points, 30 SOG and a -8 plus/minus in 35 games played.
Fasching has been out of the lineup since before the All-Star break and will remain out for at least several more days after being placed on LTIR. The depth right-winger has struggled offensively with the Islanders this season, with three goals, eight points, 30 SOG and a -8 plus/minus in 35 games played.
Emil Bemstrom will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Olivier to re-enter the lineup. Over his last four games, Olivier has recorded zero points but is averaging four hits per contest.
Merzlikins will tend the twine for the Blue Jackets on Tuesday, his third start in their last four games. The Latvian netminder has won two of his last three outings (2-1-0) and saved 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) on Saturday in a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. That said, the Blue Jackets are sizeable +215 road underdogs on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Smith missed the Devils' previous 10 games due to a knee injury but was activated from Injured Reserve and is available on Tuesday vs. Nashville. The 35-year-old hybrid defencemen will make a welcome addition to the Devils' blueline with his one goal, four assists, 31 SOG, and 47 PIMs. Santeri Hatakka was reassigned to Utica (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Zamula will re-enter the lineup after sitting out Saturday, and will presumably reclaim his role on the Flyers' first power-play unit. Zamula has five goals and ten assists in 42 games this season.
Zamula was in the lineup for the last two games but will be scratched on Saturday vs. the Kraken. Zamula will be replaced by Nicolas Deslauriers, with the Flyers going back to 12 forwards and six defensemen.
