Pesce was a late scratch for Thursday's game against Colorado, with the Hurricanes not announcing his absence until the start of warmups. Tony DeAngelo will likely draw into the lineup in his place.
Markstrom will return to the crease for the Flames on Thursday night, his fifth straight start. The 32-year-old Markstrom has been sensational lately, winning two straight games by saving 53 of the last 54 shots he's faced (.981 SV%). The Flames are +126 road underdogs against a Devils that is welcoming Jack Hughes back into the lineup and is coming off an impressive 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.
Hughes has not played since January 5th but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. The Devils are coming off an impressive 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday but have predominantly struggled in Hughes' absence. Hughes has been limited to only 32 games in an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign but has 45 points (15G / 30A).
After straight three straight games (1-2-0), Markstrom will be well-rested in the Flames' return to the ice after the All-Star break. In his last outing, Markstrom saved all 32 shots he faced in a 1-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, his second shutout of the season. The Flames, in their first game since trading talented two-way center Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks, are +164 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins club riding a two-game winning streak.
After straight three straight games (1-2-0), Markstrom will be well-rested in the Flames' return to the ice after the All-Star break. In his last outing, Markstrom saved all 32 shots he faced in a 1-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, his second shutout of the season. The Flames, in their first game since trading talented two-way center Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks, are +164 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins club riding a two-game winning streak.
Hughes has not played since January 5th but has a chance to return to the lineup this week as he is considered day-to-day. Regardless of his exact return date, his presence as a full participant at practice on Tuesday is an encouraging sign for a Devils club that has struggled in his absence. Hughes has been limited to only 32 games in an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign but has 45 points (15G / 30A) in that span.
Hughes has not played since January 5th but has a chance to return to the lineup this week as he is considered day-to-day. Regardless, his presence at practice on Monday, albeit in a non-contact jersey, was an encouraging sign for the Devils. Hughes has been limited to only 32 games in an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign but has 45 points (15G / 30A) in that span.
Hatakka was returned to Utica (AHL) for the All-Star break to get a few games under his belt but was returned to New Jersey on Monday and is expected to rejoin the team. The 23-year-old defenseman was a part of the Timo Meier deal on February 26th, 2023, and made his Devils' debut on January 22nd, 2024. He ahs an assist and a +5 plus/minus in three games thus far this season.
Despite Vitek Vanecek winning his last two starts, including a roller-coaster 6-5 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the Devils' last game, the Devils will return to Daws between the pipes on Thursday night. Daws has dropped three straight games (0-3-0), including his worst performance of the season in his last outing, allowing six goals on 36 shots (.833 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The struggling Devils, losers of five of seven (2-4-1), are +140 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes club that played last night, defeating the Boston Bruins 3-2.
Hamilton has been out of the lineups since November 28th and remains out indefinitely. The talented blueliner had five goals, 11 assists, 61 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 20 games this season before getting hurt.
Hughes has already missed 11 games this season, eight with his current ailment, and although he still has a week-to-week prognosis, he appears to be making progress toward returning. The Devils have struggled, going 3-5 with Hughes out of the lineup.
Markstrom will start for the second straight game on Thursday when the Flames host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Markstrom struggled in his return from a lower-body injury on Tuesday, allowing four goals, three unanswered, on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in a heart-breaking last-minute 4-3 regulation loss to the St. Louis Blues. The Flames, losers of three straight, are -179 home favourites against a Blue Jackets team that has been outscored 8-2 in their last two games (0-2-0).
Palat last played on December 30th, missing the last 10 games, but will return to the lineup on Thursday after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. In 35 games this season, Palat has 14 points (5G / 9A), his lowest point-per-game pace since his rookie season in 2012-13.
Despite Vitek Vanecek winning his last two starts, including a roller-coaster 6-5 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the Devils' last game, the Devils will likely return to Daws between the pipes on Thursday night. Daws has dropped three straight games (0-3-0), including his worst performance of the season in his last outing, allowing six goals on 36 shots (.833 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The struggling Devils, losers of five of seven (2-4-1), are +140 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes club that played last night, defeating the Boston Bruins 3-2.
Palat last played on December 30th, missing the last 10 games, but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. In 35 games this season, Palat has 14 points (5G / 9A), his lowest point-per-game pace since his rookie season in 2012-13.
Markstrom has battled a lower-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup for the last three games but will return to the crease on Tuesday. The 33-year-old netminder is riding a three-game winning streak, saving 93 of 99 shots (.939 SV%) in the process. The Flames, without Markstrom, have lost two straight games but are -169 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues, coming off a 3-0 victory over the Washington Capitals.
Markstrom has battled a lower-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup for the last three games but will likely return to the crease on Tuesday. The 33-year-old netminder is riding a three-game winning streak, saving 93 of 99 shots (.939 SV%) in the process. The Flames, without Markstrom, have lost two straight games but are -169 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues, coming off a 3-0 victory over the Washington Capitals.
Justin Barron drew back into the lineup last week in favour of Kovacevic, who has been a healthy scratch the last three games. Kovacevic played 13:18 time-on-ice in his last game and will draw back into the lineup on Tuesday as Barron has been reassigned to the Laval Rocket of the AHL.
Markstrom has battled a lower-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup for the last three games but appears to be nearing his return. The 33-year-old netminder is riding a three-game winning streak, saving 93 of 99 shots (.939 SV%) in the process. His next opportunity to play will be on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.
