Jayden Struble will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Kovacevic to return to the lineup after a one-game absence. Kovacevic has only played twice in the last six games, being held off the scoresheet while averaging fewer than 15 minutes of ice time.
Foote last appeared in an NHL contest nearly a year ago on March 24th, 2023 and has suffered a setback after being activated from injured reserve on Monday. The 23-year-old left-winger originally suffered his injury in pre-season and spent a week on a conditioning loan with Utica (AHL) before being activated.
Gruden was placed on waivers by Pittsburgh last week but will return to the club on Tuesday. Gruden has spent most of the 2023-24 campaign Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), where he has 23 points (13G / 10A) in 41 games this season.
John Marino (upper-body) will not play on Tuesday, allowing Hatakka to enter the Devils' lineup. Hatakka has played nine games with the Devils this season, tallying two points (0G / 2A) and a +6 plus/minus.
The Devils will likely turn to Allen for the third time in the last four games since he made his team debut less than a week ago. Allen has been tremendous in two games (1-1-0) as a Devil, saving 69 of 73 combined shots (.945 SV%). The Devils' offence has been limited to only one goal in three of their last four games (1-3-0), but they enter action against the Penguins as -125 home favourites.
Markstrom has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury and will miss at least one more. Dustin Wolf has filled in admirably so far since Markstrom's injury, saving 67 of 70 shots (.957 SV%), winning both of his starts, and will start again Monday against the Washington Capitals.
With the Devils' recent acquisitions of Kaapo Kahkonen and Jake Allen, Daws has become the odd-man out and has been reassigned to the Utica Comets (AHL). Daws struggled to be consistent between the pipes for the Devils this season, posting a 3.15 GAA and .894 SV% in 21 games (9-11-0).
After being acquired before last week's trade deadline, Allen will make his Devils debut on Thursday night. Allen is currently sporting a .892 SV% and a career-worst 3.65 GAA through 21 games this season (6-12-3). The Devils enter action as +164 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club that is 5-1-0 in their last six and is coming off a disappointing 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Austin Czarnik will draw into the lineup for the Red Wings on Thursday in favour of Daniel Sprong. Sprong played only 7:41 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres and recorded an unsightly -4 plus/minus.
Willman last appeared for the Devils' on February 6th and has spent the last month and a week in Utica (AHL) but was recalled to meet the team in Dallas on Wednesday. The 29-year-old centre is in his first season in New Jersey and has a goal, an assist, 14 SOG, two PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 13 games played so far.
Siegenthaler exited Monday's 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers after playing only 11:24 time-on-ice. The 26-year-old defenseman appeared in 11 straight games after returning from a multi-week absence due to a foot injury earlier this season. He has nine points (1G / 8A), 68 hits, and 79 blocks in 49 games this season.
Hatakka played nine games with the Devils earlier this season, recording two assists, but has spent most of his season with the Utica Comets (AHL). The 23-year-old defenseman was a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and has 17 points (4G / 13A) in 41 games with Utica this season.
Gruden played the last six games from the Penguins but was placed on waivers on Monday. He will return to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), where he has 23 points (13G / 10A) in 41 games this season.
After playing four straight for the Canadiens, Kovacevic has been a healthy scratch in the last three. He recorded one assist, a +4 plus/minus, and four hits in his last four outings.
Siegenthaler suffered the injury in the second period when he was struck by an elbow from the Rangers' Matt Rempe. Rempe was assessed a five minute major for elbowing and a game misconduct on the play. The Devils are yet to provide an update on the injury to Siegenthaler.
Foote last appeared in an NHL contest nearly a year ago on March 24th, 2023 but has been activated off non-roster, injured reserve on Monday. The 23-year-old left-winger originally suffered his injury in pre-season and has spent a week on a conditioning loan with Utica (AHL) before being activated.
