Devils’ Jacob Markstrom out 4-6 weeks with knee sprain
The New Jersey Devils announced Friday that goaltender Jacob Markstrom will be out of the lineup for the next four-to-six weeks after suffering an MCL sprain.
Facing the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, Markstrom exited early into the second period and did not return after being crashed in the crease by Bruins right winger Justin Brazeau. At the time of his exit, Markstrom had stopped six of seven shots. Jake Allen entered in relief, turning aside 16 shots en route to a 5-1 home ice win for the Devils.
On the season, Markstrom has made 36 appearances in which he has notched a 21-9-5 record with a .912 save percentage and 2.20 goals-against average. The 34-year-old Swedish-born goaltender is in his first season with New Jersey following an offseason deal with the Calgary Flames that saw the Devils part with defenseman Kevin Bahl and a conditional first-round selection in the upcoming NHL Draft.
Per PuckPedia, Markstrom is in the fifth year of a six-year pact that carries a $6-million annual average value. As part of the trade with Calgary, the Flames are retaining 31.25 percent of Markstrom’s salary cap hit.
A veteran of 521 career games counting stops with the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Flames, and Devils, Markstrom owns a 236-205-62 lifetime record with a .909 save percentage, 2.69 goals-against average, and 23 shutouts.
In Markstrom’s absence, New Jersey will turn to Allen. Through 15 showings with the Devils this season, the 34-year-old netminder has found the win column six times coupled with a .904 save percentage and 2.59 goals-against average.
Additionally, with Markstrom sidelined, his participation in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off is in doubt. Earlier this season, Markstrom was named to the Swedish squad alongside fellow netminders Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators and Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild. The inaugural tournament will be held February 12-20 in Boston and Montreal.
The Devils sit third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 27-17-6 record and 60 points.