Wendt is an undrafted 23-year-old out of Michigan who has spent the last three seasons playing collegiate hockey. He scored 44 points (23G / 21A) in 38 games with Western Michigan University in the 2023-24 season.
Willman will unfortunately be the odd man out as Kurtis MacDermid (lower body) returns to the Devils' lineup on Wednesday vs. the Rangers. The 29-year-old Willman will lose his seat for some strength in the lineup but has played very well in a limited role this season, with three goals, four points,17 SOG and two PIMs in 18 games played while averaging only 8:19 TOI/GP.
MacDermid has missed the Devils' previous four games due to a lower-body injury but will return for the second half of their back-to-back on Wednesday vs. the Rangers. The 30-year-old bruising hybrid player chose a good day to return as many are expecting him to finally square up with New York's Matthew Rempe. He has an assist, three SOG and 30 PIMs in 10 games played with the Devils since being acquired at the trade deadline.
Kahkonen will man the Devils' crease for the first time in four games and his fourth time since being acquired from San Jose at the trade deadline. The 27-year-old has played exceptionally better during his time with the Devils, as proven by his 1-2-0 record, 2.17 GAA and .934 SV% since being traded. He will head to New York to take on cross-town rivals in the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games and have the NHL's fourth-best powerplay this season (25.7%).
DeSimone will be the odd-man out on the Devils' blue-line as Jonas Siegenthaler returns from his concussion. DeSimone has two goals and five assists in 32 games this season.
Siegenthaler has been sidelined with a concussion since March 11th. He'll draw back into the Devils' lineup as they continue to make a push for an unlikely postseason bid. The Devils did not confirm who will come out to make room for Siegenthaler, who has nine points (1G / 8A) in 49 games this season.
The Devils will turn to Allen for a third consecutive game when they host the Penguins on Tuesday night. Allen allowed three goals on 34 shots enroute to a 5-2 loss to the Sabres on Friday. The 33-year-old netminder owns a 4-3-0 record and a .923 SV% in seven starts since being acquired from the Canadiens. He draws a favourable matchup on Tuesday with the Devils being -170 favourites against a tired Penguins team that will be playing their second game in as many nights.
Hatakka was a healthy scratch for the Devils' last two games and was reassigned to Utica (AHL) on Monday. The 23-year-old picked up two assists during his 12-game showing with New Jersey and is expected to be replaced by the returning Jonas Sieganthaler (concussion).
The Devils will turn right back to Allen after his outstanding performance in Toronto on Tuesday. The 33-year-old netminder stopped 42 of the 45 shots he faced as the Devils downed the Maple Leafs by a score of 6-3. Allen has posted a 4-2-0 record and an impressive .925 SV% across six starts with the Devils since being acquired from the Canadiens. He's got a great chance of staying in the win column on Friday as the Devils find themselves as -130 favourites in Buffalo.
Despite Kaapo Kahkonen recording a shutout in a 4-0 win over the New York Islanders on Sunday, the Devils will return to Allen in the crease on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Allen has been solid since joining the Devils but had his first misstep in his last outing, allowing five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Devils enter action as +127 road underdogs against the Maple Leafs.
Lazar did not play on Sunday due to a lower-body injury but will likely draw back into the lineup on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lazar has two points (0G / 2A) in his last six games.
Despite Kaapo Kahkonen recording a shutout in a 4-0 win over the New York Islanders on Sunday, the Devils will likely return to Allen in the crease on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Allen has been solid since joining the Devils but had his first misstep in his last outing, allowing five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Devils enter action as +127 road underdogs against the Maple Leafs.
Halonen is an undrafted 25-year-old who made his NHL debut earlier this season, playing one game for the Devils. In 30 games with the Utica Comets (AHL), Halonen has 24 points (16G / 8A).
Poulter served as the backup to Kaapo Kahkonen on Sunday but has been reassigned to the Utica Comets (AHL). The 22-year-old Poulter has enjoyed success in his second season with Utica, posting a 2.55 GAA and .911 SV% in 28 games (17-8-1).
