Hamilton left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return and has been placed on the injured reserve Thursday. Brendan Smith will replace Hamilton on the Devils' back end as he worked his way back after a slight stint on forward. It is a tough loss for New Jersey who will now be without their top defensemen who had five goals, 11 assists, 61 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 20 games this season.
Hamilton left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return. Head coach Lindy Ruff still has no update on Hamilton's status. Samuel Leberge will make his NHL debut, replacing Hamilton in the lineup but it will be Brendan Smith who moves back to the blueline.
Markstrom was not available to play in the Flames' most recent game, a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, due to an illness, but has been cleared to play and will return to the stater's crease on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Markstrom struggled against the Dallas Stars less than a week ago, allowing four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%), but was very strong in the third period, securing a 7-4 victory for the Flames. Recent success against the Stars aside, the Flames are +119 home underdogs as the Stars have been tremendous on the road this season, posting a stellar 8-1-1 record.
Markstrom was a full participant at practice and will likely be available to return to the crease for the Flames on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Markstrom was the starting goalie for the Flames one week ago against the Stars, saving 24 of 28 shots (.857 SV%), in a 7-4 victory.
Hamilton logged 13:25 TOI before departing Tuesday's come-from-behind win over the Islanders. Hamilton did not return for the third period and head coach Lindy Ruff's only update was that he "couldn't play." Hamilton will be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Laberge is an undrafted left-winger who has spent the last three seasons with the Utica Comets of the AHL, scoring 32 points (14G / 18A) in 104 combined games. The 26-year-old Laberge has yet to play an NHL game and will likely serve as a depth forward for the Devils while they are without Erik Haula and Timo Meier.
Hamilton logged 13:25 TOI before departing Tuesday's come-from-behind win over the Islanders. Hamilton did not return for the third period and head coach Lindy Ruff's only update was that he "couldn't play." Hamilton is questionable for Thursday's game in Philadelphia.
Haula exited the game late in the second period after registering only 9:30 time-on-ice. Haula has five points (1G / 4A) in his last six games along with nine hits and 12 shots. Haula will not be available on Tuesday when the Devils face the Islanders.
Lazar exited Friday's game with an undisclosed injury after playing only 4:14 and did not dress Saturday but is expected to make his return to the Devils' lineup on Tuesday. In 17 games this season, Lazar has five points (3G / 2A), averaging 12:01 time-on-ice. He will likely retake his spot on the third line with Michael McLeod and Alexander Holtz.
Willman played four games with the Devils, scoring one point (1G / 0A), averaging 11:23 time-on-ice. He will return to the Utica Comets of the AHL, where he was especially productive this season, scoring seven points (4G / 3A) in seven games.
Markstrom was previously scheduled to start Monday night's game against the Golden Knights but was a late scratch due to an illness. Dan Vladar will get the start in his absence and the Flames signed goaltender Dustin Nickel to an amateur tryout agreement to serve as the backup on Monday.
Markstrom had the night off in favour of Dan Vladar on Saturday but will return to the starter's crease on Monday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Markstrom has a serviceable 2.93 GAA and .901 SV% through 14 games this season (5-7-2) but has allowed four goals (.887 SV%) in each of his last three outings (1-1-1). The Flames are slight -103 road underdogs against a Golden Knights team that, after an 11-0-1 start, is 3-5-1 in their last nine and have been shut out in two of their last three outings (1-2-0).
Haula exited the game late in the second period after registering only 9:30 time-on-ice. Haula has five points (1G / 4A) in his last six games along with nine hits and 12 shots. Haula is unlikely to be available on Tuesday when the Devils face the Islanders.
Haula exited the game late in the second period after registering only 9:30 time-on-ice. Haula has five points (1G / 4A) in his last six games along with nine hits and 12 shots. The Devils next play on Tuesday, but Haula's status has not yet been determined for that contest.
