Rittich has only played once this season, but he was instrumental in an impressive 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%). In the five games that Rittich has not played, the Islanders are allowing 4.0 goals per game. The 33-year-old Rittich returns to the crease on Thursday against a red-hot Detroit Red Wings team on the tail end of a back-to-back, hoping to build off his strong start to the 2025-26 season.
Allen stopped 21 of 22 shots in the Devils win over the Panthers on Thursday. It was another strong performance for Allen, who will make his third straight start tonight vs. the Oilers. Allen comes in with a. 1.20 GAA and .957 SV% through his first two games of the season.
Trevor van Riemsdyk will return to the press box to serve as a healthy scratch on Friday against the Minnesota Wild, allowing Chisholm to re-enter the lineup. The 25-year-old Chisholm played 14:29 time-on-ice in his only outing this season and recorded one assist.
Allen did not finish Monday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to cramping and was replaced by Jacob Markstrom in the eventual 3-2 win. However, Markstrom suffered a lower-body injury in the process and will be out of the lineup week-to-week. As such, Allen will share the crease with recently recalled Nico Daws for the foreseeable future. The 35-year-old Allen was solid before exiting Monday's game, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) through 40 minutes. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as -151 home favorites against a Florida Panthers team that played last night and lost 4-1 to the Detroit Red Wings.
Allen did not finish Monday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to cramping and was replaced by Jacob Markstrom in the eventual 3-2 win. However, Markstrom suffered a lower-body injury in the process and will be out of the lineup week-to-week. As such, Allen will share the crease with recently recalled Nico Daws for the foreseeable future. The 35-year-old Allen was solid before exiting Monday's game, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) through 40 minutes. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as -151 home favorites against a Florida Panthers team that played last night and lost 4-1 to the Detroit Red Wings.
The winless Islanders (0-3-0) will hope for a better result on Thursday, turning to Rittich for his Islanders debut season in a meeting with the Edmonton Oilers. The 33-year-old Rittich was serviceable in two seasons as the Los Angeles Kings' backup goalie, posting a 2.55 GAA and .902 SV% in 58 combined games (29-20-5). Rittich has played reasonably well in his career against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, posting a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 14 appearances (5-5-1).
Jake Allen (cramping) could not finish Monday's game and was replaced by Jacob Markstrom (undisclosed), who appeared to be in discomfort at the end of the contest. It has since been revealed that Markstrom will be out of the lineup for a few weeks, leaving the Devils' crease to Allen and Daws. The 24-year-old Daws was excellent in a limited stint with the Devils last season, posting a 1.60 GAA and .939 SV% in six appearances (3-1-0).
Trevor van Riemsdyk was a healthy scratch on Sunday, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, replacing Declan Chisholm. The 25-year-old Chisholm played 14:29 time-on-ice in Sunday's 1-0 win over the New York Rangers and recorded one assist.
Allen did not finish Monday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and was replaced by Jacob Markstrom. The 35-year-old Allen was putting together a solid effort before leaving the game, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in an eventual 3-2 win. No update was provided on Allen, but he is not expected to miss time.
New Jersey's defensive game has struggled early in the 2025-26 season, allowing nine goals through two games (1-1-0), and will hope for better results with Allen between the pipes for the first time this season. The 35-year-old Allen had a sizable role as the Devils' backup last season, posting a 2.66 GAA, .906 SV%, and four shutouts in 31 appearances (13-16-1). The Devils enter Monday's contest as -119 road favorites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that had an offensive outburst on Saturday, defeating the Minnesota Wild 7-4 for their first win of the season.
New Jersey's defensive game has struggled early in the 2025-26 season, allowing nine goals through two games (1-1-0), and will hope for better results with Allen between the pipes for the first time this season. The 35-year-old Allen had a sizable role as the Devils' backup last season, posting a 2.66 GAA, .906 SV%, and four shutouts in 31 appearances (13-16-1). The Devils enter Monday's contest as -119 road favorites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that had an offensive outburst on Saturday, defeating the Minnesota Wild 7-4 for their first win of the season.
Pesce has practiced sparingly over the last week, recovering from an undisclosed injury, but will suit up for New Jersey's season opener on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old Pesce will look to improve after his first season with the Devils in 2024-25, averaging 21:19 time-on-ice and scoring 17 points (3G / 14A) in 72 games.
Noesen missed the entire preseason, and head coach Sheldon Keefe did not have an update on his status, but did say he's "not close to being ready to play." Expect Noesen to open the season on IR.
Casey is expected to start the year on IR, and head coach Sheldon Keefe said he's "not expecting to see him back on skates anytime in the near future." Casey will miss some time and will likely open his season in the AHL.
Pesce is skating on his own, but the Devils aren't sure what his availability will be for the season opener on Thursday. The Devils should have several practices early next week, so Pesce's status should be well established prior to their game vs. Carolina.
There was no update on Pesce's status following his exit from Thursday's preseason game due to an undisclosed injury. The 30-year-old Pesce will look to improve after his first season with the Devils in 2024-25, averaging 21:19 time-on-ice and scoring 17 points (3G / 14A) in 72 games.
