New Jersey Devils News

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.

With recent acquisition of Nick Bjugstad in a trade from the St. Louis Blues, the Devils have placed Lammikko on waivers, with the intention of terminating his contract. The 30-year-old Lammikko averaged 9:53 time-on-ice and scored two assists in 24 games with the Devils this season.

Bjugstad had been used sparingly by the Blues this season and will hope for a bigger role after being acquired in a trade by the New Jersey Devils. The 33-year-old averaged 11:38 time-on-ice and had seven points (6G / 1A) in 35 games with the Blues this season. Luke Glendening will exit the lineup to accommodate Bjugstad's debut.

The struggling Devils hope to enter the Olympic break on a high note, turning to Allen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 35-year-old Allen played well in his most recent outing, but did not receive ample goal support, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Allen hasn't been awful by any stretch, posting a 3.06 GAA and .898 SV% in his last nine games, but has only salvaged a 2-6-1 record. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as -109 home favourites against an Islanders team coming off a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The struggling Devils hope to enter the Olympic break on a high note, turning to Allen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 35-year-old Allen played well in his most recent outing, but did not receive ample goal support, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Allen hasn't been awful by any stretch, posting a 3.06 GAA and .898 SV% in his last nine games, but has only salvaged a 2-6-1 record. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as -109 home favourites against an Islanders team coming off a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With recent acquisition of Nick Bjugstad in a trade from the St. Louis Blues, the Devils have assigned Lammikko to the Utica Comets (AHL). The 30-year-old Lammikko averaged 9:53 time-on-ice and scored two assists in 24 games with the Devils this season.

Bjugstad had been used sparingly by the Blues this season and will hope for a bigger role after being acquired in a trade by the New Jersey Devils. The 33-year-old averaged 11:38 time-on-ice and had seven points (6G / 1A) in 35 games with the Blues this season.

Hughes will not play in New Jersey's final game before the Olympic Break, as the medical staff has deemed him not ready. That said, he is nearing a return, and his status for Team USA at the upcoming Winter Olympics does not appear to be in jeopardy. Before his injury, Hughes was starting to get into an offensive rhythm, with 12 points (1G / 11A) in his last 10 games.

Evgenii Dadonov will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Lammikko to re-enter the lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 30-year-old Lammikko is averaging 9:59 time-on-ice and has two assists in 23 games this season.

Hughes will not play on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and it is unclear what his status is for New Jersey's final game before the Olympic Break on Thursday against the New York Islanders. That said, he is nearing a return and his status for Team USA at the upcoming Winter Olympics does not appear to be in jeopardy. Before his injury, Hughes was starting to get into an offensive rhythm, with 12 points (1G / 11A) in his last 10 games.

Rittich snapped a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) in his previous outing, saving 14 of 16 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Czech goalie was tremendous to start his first season with the Islanders, posting a terrific 2.26 GAA and .919 SV% through 14 games (9-3-2), but has struggled to maintain that excellence. He has a 2.95 GAA and .859 SV% in his last eight games (3-4-1). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team on a two-game winning streak.

With Matt Roy (lower body) and Martin Fehervary (personal) returning to the lineup on Monday, Declan Chisholm and Dylan McIlrath will be healthy scratches. The 26-year-old Chisholm is averaging 13:55 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 21 games this season.

Rittich snapped a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) in his previous outing, saving 14 of 16 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Czech goalie was tremendous to start his first season with the Islanders, posting a terrific 2.26 GAA and .919 SV% through 14 games (9-3-2), but has struggled to maintain that excellence. He has a 2.95 GAA and .859 SV% in his last eight games (3-4-1). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team on a two-game winning streak.