Pesce played 22:04 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers, did not play on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and is expected to miss at least two more games. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:18 time-on-ice and has seven points (1G / 6A) in 37 games this season.
Boqvist will slot in for A.J. Greer, who is being held out of Thursday's game. Boqvist has appeared in 52 games this season, tallying three goals and five assists.
Brett Pesce (lower body) will not play on Wednesday, allowing Kovacevic to re-enter the lineup. The 31-year-old Kovacevic is averaging 16:43 time-on-ice and has two assists in 13 games this season.
Pesce played 22:04 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers, but will not be available on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:18 time-on-ice and has seven points (1G / 6A) in 37 games this season. Johnathan Kovacevic will draw into the lineup as Pesce's replacement.
The Devils have won two straight games with Jacob Markstrom between the pipes and will hope the team's momentum can carry over to Allen when he tends the twine on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a four-game losing streak (0-4-0), the 35-year-old Allen has played serviceably, posting a 2.85 GAA and .892 SV%. The Devils enter Wednesday's contest as -117 home favourites against a reeling Maple Leafs team that has been outscored 17-7 since returning from the Olympic break (0-3-1).
Rittich had a rough performance in his return from the Olympic break, allowing four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%), but salvaged a 5-4 victory over the Florida Panthers. He will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks, looking to break free from a troubling five-game stretch (2-3-0) where he has an ugly 3.56 GAA and .847 SV%.
Dylan McIlrath will draw into Washington's lineup on Tuesday against the Utah Mammoth, resulting in Chisholm being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Chisholm had an assist in Washington's previous game, giving him six points (1G / 5A) through 24 games this season.
The Devils drafted Melovsky in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Czech forward is in his first professional season in North America, where he has 13 points (3G / 10A) through 35 games with the Utica Comets (AHL).
Rodrigues did not play in Florida's final game before the Olympic break due to an illness, but he will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old Rodrigues is averaging 17:15 time-on-ice and has 25 points (10G / 15A) in 56 games this season.
Jakob Markstrom was busy for Team Sweden at the Olympics and will get some extra rest in New Jersey's return to action, with Allen set to tend the twine on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 35-year-old Allen struggled heading into the Olympic break, losing six of his last seven (1-6-0) while posting a subpar 3.08 GAA and .880 SV%. The Devils enter the action on Wednesday as slight -107 home favourites against a Sabres team that defeated them 3-1 in their previous meeting.
Jakob Markstrom was busy for Team Sweden at the Olympics and will get some extra rest in New Jersey's return to action, with Allen set to tend the twine on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 35-year-old Allen struggled heading into the Olympic break, losing six of his last seven (1-6-0) while posting a subpar 3.08 GAA and .880 SV%. The Devils enter the action on Wednesday as slight -107 home favourites against a Sabres team that defeated them 3-1 in their previous meeting.
Hughes lost teeth late in the Gold Medal game at the Olympics on Sunday, but returned to action to score in overtime and secure the victory for Team USA. The 24-year-old Hughes has received significant media attention since scoring his historic goal for the Americans, but is expected to be ready to play for New Jersey on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Hughes has 36 points (12G / 24A) in 36 games and will try to build off the momentum from the Olympics to help the Devils inch closer to playoff contention.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. The 27-year-old Boqvist is averaging 10:52 time-on-ice and has seven points (3G / 4A) in 50 games this season.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. The 32-year-old Rodrigues has 25 points (10G / 15A) in 56 games this season.
