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.
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 will be a game-time decision on Friday against the New York Islanders as he eases 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 will be a game-time decision on Friday against the New York Islanders as he is eased 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.
The Devils acquired Jake Allen at the trade deadline last season and Jacob Markstrom in the offseason to solidify their goaltending after allowing the sixth most goals in 2023-24. That said, 10 games into the 2024-25 campaign, the Devils have allowed 33 goals, second most in the league. To the Devils' advantage, they enter action on Friday as -127 home favorites against a New York Islanders team that has only scored 14 goals this season, the fewest in the league. In three outings this season (2-1-0), Allen has a 3.01 GAA and .880 SV%.
Nemec was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. It's unclear if this is injury related or if Nemec is simply a healthy scratch.
The Devils will turn back to Markstrom between the pipes after Jake Allen got the nod against the Lightning on Tuesday. Markstrom struggled his last time out, surrendering six goals on 37 shots as New Jersey fell to the Capitals in overtime. The 35-year-old netminder owns a 3-2-1 record on the season to go along with a .902 SV% and a 2.99 GAA. The Devils are big road favourites in Detroit on Thursday, entering action at -180 on the money line.
Pesce signed a six-year contract to join New Jersey in the offseason after nine successful seasons on Carolina's blueline and will finally make his Devils debut on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. In 70 games in 2023-24, he had three goals, 13 points, 20 PIMs, and a +10 plus/minus while averaging 20:17 TOI/GP.
Hughes will play his first game of the season on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings after suffering a shoulder injury in mid-September. The sophomore defenseman will play a key role in the Devils' back end upon his return. 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.
Hughes was given a 6-8 week timeline to return from a shoulder injury suffered in mid-September during training camp and appears to be on schedule to return. If he is unable to play on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, Devils' head coach Sheldon Keefe insisted that Hughes should be in the lineup this weekend. The sophomore defenseman will play a key role in the Devils' back end. 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.
With his presence at practice the last several days, Pesce's debut with the Devils seems to be on the immediate horizon. If he is not able to play on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, Devils' head coach Sheldon Keefe insisted that Pesce should be in the lineup this weekend. Pesce signed a six-year contract to join New Jersey in the offseason after nine successful seasons on Carolina's blueline. In 70 games in 2023-24, he had three goals, 13 points, 20 PIMs, and a +10 plus/minus while averaging 20:17 TOI/GP.
The Devils will turn to Allen between the pipes for only the third time in nine games this season, despite stellar play in limited action thus far. In his two games this season, Allen has been tremendous, winning both contests (2-0-0) and posting a gaudy 0.50 GAA and .974 SV%. The Devils enter the action on Tuesday as -148 home favorites against a Tampa Bay Lightning club that was defeated 5-2 by the Toronto Maple Leafs last night.
The Devils will turn to Allen between the pipes for only the third time in nine games this season, despite stellar play in limited action thus far. In his two games this season, Allen has been tremendous, winning both contests (2-0-0) and posting a gaudy 0.50 GAA and .974 SV%. The Devils enter the action on Tuesday as -148 home favorites against a Tampa Bay Lightning club that was defeated 5-2 by the Toronto Maple Leafs last night.
Hughes was given a 6-8 week timeline to return from a shoulder injury suffered in mid-September during training camp and appears to be on schedule to return. The sophomore defenseman will play a key role in the Devils' back end. 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.
With his presence at practice the last several days, Pesce's debut with the Devils seems to be on the immediate horizon. Pesce signed a six-year contract to join New Jersey in the offseason after nine successful seasons on Carolina's blueline. In 70 games in 2023-24, he had three goals, 13 points, 20 PIMs, and a +10 plus/minus while averaging 20:17 TOI/GP.
Despite a solid start to his NHL career, Casey will report to the Utica Comets of the AHL. In his first eight games, the 20-year-old Casey has four points (3G / 1A), seven blocks, and four hits. The Devils have recalled Daniil Misyul from Utica in a corresponding move.
The Devils will turn to Markstrom in between the pipes on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The 34-year-old Markstrom has had an up-and-down start to his tenure with the Devils, posting a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV% in four games (2-2-0), despite allowing three or more goals in each of his last three contests (1-2-0). The Devils enter the action on Thursday as -132 road favorites against a Senators club that scored eight goals in their previous game, a whirlwind 8-7 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
