Devils’ Nico Hischier out week-to-week with injury

When speaking to the media, New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe revealed that captain Nico Hischier will not be in the lineup when the Devils host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.

Keefe stated that Hischier is “week-to-week” and will be re-evaluated next week.

The recent news is a downgrade from where Hischier was originally in his recovery. After Saturday night’s 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens, Keefe admitted that he expected Hischier to be day-to-day due to an undisclosed injury.

The team still hasn’t announced what exactly is ailing the 26-year-old. However, it was noticeable that Hischier received a firm cross-check to the ribs from Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki on Saturday, forcing Hischier to leave the game in the third period.

Hischier already missed one game due to the recent injury, that coming on Monday night when the Devils fell to the Flyers by a score of 4-2. It was the first time the Swiss centerman has missed a game so far this season.

If the updated timeline holds true, Hischier will also be out of game action when the Devils hit the road later this week. They are scheduled to visit the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday and the Pittsburgh Penguins next Tuesday. New Jersey returns home on Thursday, Feb. 6, for a tough battle with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Hischier has been having a great season up until this point. With a goal against Habs, the former first-overall pick has 24 goals and 19 assists for 43 points in 51 games. At his current pace, Hischier could surpass his career-high 31 goals that he posted during the 2022-23 campaign.

The Devils (28-18-6) are third in the Metropolitan Division, 11 points back of the first-place Washington Capitals.