Smith exited the Devils' last game early in the first period after playing only 2:43 time-on-ice with a sprained knee. Before his injury, Smith had three points (1G / 2A) and a +7 plus/minus in his last eight games after recording only two points (0G / 2A) and a -5 in his first 26.
Smith will return to the lineup for the Devils as Colin Miller will be a healthy scratch. Smith has played only one of the last eight games for the Devils and has two points (0G / 2A), 36 hits, and 19 blocks while averaging 14:26 time-on-ice through 22 games.
Smith was suspended two games for an aggressive slash to Philadelphia's Travis Konecny but will return to the Devils' lineup Thursday vs. Seattle. The 34-year-old veteran defensemen has not scored in 81 games since joining New Jersey in 2022-23 but has two assists, 21 SOG, 32 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 21 games this season.
Konecny was fined $5,000 for a cross check which resulted in Brendan Smith's retaliatory slash which has led to the Devils' defensemen being suspended for two-games. Smith will miss the Devils' game Friday vs. San Jose and Tuesday against Vancouver. The 34-year-old veteran has no goals, two assists, 21 SOG, 32 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus in 21 games played prior to his suspension.
Smith was a healthy scratch for the Devils' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay. The 34-year-old has five assists, 52 SOG, 61 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 54 games played with the Devils this season.
Smith has been a previous scratch for the Devils' previous six games but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Washington. The 34-year-old defenseman has five assists, 47 SOG and 61 PIMs through 52 games this season.
Smith has five assists, 45 SOG, 55 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus through 49 games but is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury and will not play Thursday vs. Seattle.
Smith was a healthy scratch for the first time in the Devils' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Thursday as they take on Philadelphia. The veteran defenseman has one assist, 26 SOG and 27 PIMs through 28 games in New Jersey's bottom defensive pair this season.
Smith suffered an injury vs. the Islanders last Friday and missed Sunday's game vs. the Ducks but will be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Smith will replace either Ian Cole or Ethan Bear on the third pair.
