Pesce has been a rock on defense for New Jersey this postseason, averaging 25:20 time-on-ice, recording one assist and a +3 plus/minus. He joins Jonas Siegenthaler as critical game-time decisions on the Devils' blue line ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday.
Siegenthaler was battling a lower-body injury that kept him from playing the first two games of the playoffs and could be at risk of missing Game 5. It's unclear if his current ailment is related to his previous one. The 27-year-old Siegenthaler played 19:56 time-on-ice in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, recording a -2 plus/mins.
Siegenthaler has not played since February 4th due to a lower-body injury but appears ready to make his seasonal playoff debut and return on Friday for Game 3 vs. Carolina. The 27-year-old Swiss defender will make a welcome addition to New Jersey's already battered blue line after he had two goals, nine points and a +9 plus/minus in 55 games during the regular season.
Facing a 2-0 series deficit, Markstrom and the Devils will be hoping the third time's the charm when they host the Hurricanes for Game 3 on Friday. Markstrom is hardly the one to blame for the hole the Devils find themselves in, as evident by his .930 SV% and 2.52 GAA. New Jersey will thankfully be playing on home ice for the first time in the series, where Markstrom logged a 14-7-4 record across 26 regular season appearances. The Devils enter action on Friday at +135 on the money line.
Siegenthaler has not played since February 4th due to a lower-body injury but is hopeful to make his seasonal playoff debut and return on Friday for Game 3 vs. Carolina. The 27-year-old Swiss defender will make a welcome addition to New Jersey's already battered blue line after he had two goals, nine points and a +9 plus/minus in 55 games during the regular season.
Marksrom had an eventful Game 1 for New Jersey, saving 41 of 44 shots (.932 SV%) in the 4-1 loss, and will likely return to the crease for Game 2 on Tuesday. The 35-year-old Markstrom had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.50 GAA and .900 SV% in 49 contests (26-16-6). He has played reasonably in his playoff career, showcasing a serviceable 2.90 GAA and .912 SV%, but has a losing record in 27 games (13-14). The Devils enter Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes as significant +217 road underdogs.
With Luke Hughes battling an undisclosed injury, Nemec will draw into the lineup for him playoff debut in Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes. After making an impact in 60 games last season, Nemec was limited to only 27 this season, scoring four points (2G / 2A).
Hughes suffered an undisclosed injury late in Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes and will not play in Game 2. The 21-year-old Hughes scored 44 points (7G / 37A) in 71 games this season. He had a -1 plus/minus and played 22:20 time-on-ice in Sunday's 4-1 loss in Game 1. Simon Nemec will draw into the lineup as Hughe's replacement.
Dillion was limited to only 8:53 time-on-ice in New Jersey's 4-1 Game 1 loss due to an undisclosed injury. The 34-year-old defenseman had 16 points (2G / 14A) and averaging 18:35 time-on-ice in 82 games this season.
Daniel Sprong will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Tatar to enter the lineup for Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Tatar had a career-low 17 points (7G / 10A) in 74 games this season. The 34-year-old had 13 points (7G / 6A) in 52 career playoff games.
Entering their final game of the regular season, the Devils will rest several key players, including Kovacevic, in preparation of their first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old Kovacevic ends the 2024-25 campaign with 17 points (1G / 16A) in 81 games.
Entering their final game of the regular season, the Devils will rest several key players, including Pesce, in preparation of their first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old Pesce ends the 2024-25 campaign with 17 points (3G / 14A) in 72 games.
