New Jersey Devils News

The Devils will turn to Allen between the pipes for only the third time in nine games this season, despite stellar play in limited action thus far. In his two games this season, Allen has been tremendous, winning both contests (2-0-0) and posting a gaudy 0.50 GAA and .974 SV%. The Devils enter the action on Tuesday as -148 home favorites against a Tampa Bay Lightning club that was defeated 5-2 by the Toronto Maple Leafs last night.

Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is nearing a return from injury, but stellar play from Rittich has made his absence tolerable. Rittich has allowed two combined goals in his last two outings (2-0-0), saving 40 of 42 shots in the process (.952 SV%). The Czech netminder became a trustworthy option between the pipes for the Kings last season and is trending in that direction again. The Kings enter action on Tuesday as +113 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Devils will turn to Allen between the pipes for only the third time in nine games this season, despite stellar play in limited action thus far. In his two games this season, Allen has been tremendous, winning both contests (2-0-0) and posting a gaudy 0.50 GAA and .974 SV%. The Devils enter the action on Tuesday as -148 home favorites against a Tampa Bay Lightning club that was defeated 5-2 by the Toronto Maple Leafs last night.

Hughes was given a 6-8 week timeline to return from a shoulder injury suffered in mid-September during training camp and appears to be on schedule to return. The sophomore defenseman will play a key role in the Devils' back end. In 2023-24, he had nine goals, 47 points, 135 SOG, 28 PIMs, and a -25 plus/minus in 82 games, finishing third place in voting for the Calder trophy.

With his presence at practice the last several days, Pesce's debut with the Devils seems to be on the immediate horizon. Pesce signed a six-year contract to join New Jersey in the offseason after nine successful seasons on Carolina's blueline. In 70 games in 2023-24, he had three goals, 13 points, 20 PIMs, and a +10 plus/minus while averaging 20:17 TOI/GP.

Despite a solid start to his NHL career, Casey will report to the Utica Comets of the AHL. In his first eight games, the 20-year-old Casey has four points (3G / 1A), seven blocks, and four hits. The Devils have recalled Daniil Misyul from Utica in a corresponding move.

Rittich will make his second start in as many nights after getting the nod in Toronto on Wednesday. Rittich struggled against the Maple Leafs before being replaced by Pheonix Copley in the second period, allowing four goals on just 14 shots as the Kings suffered a 6-2 defeat. With Darcy Kuemper sidelined, the Kings will be hoping Rittich can regain his form from a season ago sooner rather than later. He has a good chance of securing his first win of the season tonight as the Kings find themselves as -135 favourites in Montreal.

Justin Brazeau and Morgan Geekie will be healthy scratches for the Bruins on Wednesday as Max Jones and Riley Tufte will draw back into the lineup. The 26-year-old Tufte made his Bruins debut last week, recording a -1 plus/minus in 9:21 time-on-ice.

With Darcy Kuemper (lower body) sidelined for at least one game, Rittich assumes the role of the Kings' starting netminder on Wednesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old Rittich has not played yet this season but will attempt to replicate his stats from a season ago when he emerged as a viable option in the net for the Kings, posting a 2.15 GAA and .921 SV% in 24 contests (13-6-3). The Kings enter action as +158 road underdogs against the Maple Leafs.

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Devils will turn to Allen between the pipes for his second start of the young season in a Monday afternoon matchup against the Utah Hockey Club. Allen was solid in his first appearance of the season, saving 17 of 18 shots (.944 SV%) in a 3-1 victory against the Buffalo Sabres. Since being traded to the Devils late last season, Allen has posted a respectable 2.96 GAA and .902 SV% in 14 outings (7-6-1). New Jersey enters action as -161 home favorites against Utah.

Chisholm missed the Wilds' first two games to begin the season due to illness but will make his debut on Sunday in Winnipeg as he replaces the injured Jared Spurgeon (lower body). The 24-year-old defensemen appeared in 29 games in 2023-24 and had three goals, eight points and 18 PIMs while averaging only 16:52 TOI/GP.

Tufte was a minus-1 in 9:21 TOI in his season debut on Thursday but will come out of the lineup on Saturday to make room for Matthew Poitras.

Hatakka suffered an injury in preseason that ultimately resulted in undergoing shoulder surgery. The 23-year-old had a legitimate shot of making the Devils out of training camp after Luke Hughes was announced out due to injury, but will now, unfortunately, be sidelined for the foreseeable future. In 12 games in 2023-24, he had two assists, 12 SOG and a +5 plus/minus while averaging just 14:39 TOI/GP.

Chisholm was absent from Minnesota's final practice before their opener on Thursday vs. Columbus due to an illness and will not be ready for the game as well. The 24-year-old defensemen will be fighting to get into the Wild lineup nightly as he attempts to establish himself as an everyday player after three goals, eight points and 18 PIMs in 29 games played in 2023-24.

Max Jones will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Tufte to make his Bruins debut. The 26-year-old Tufte spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, tallying 45 points (23G / 22A) in 67 games with the Colorado Eagles. He has three points (1G / 2A) in 18 career NHL games.

Chisholm was absent from Minnesota's final practice before their opener on Thursday vs. Columbus due to an illness and looks to be out for the game as well. The 24-year-old defensemen will be fighting to get into the Wild lineup nightly as he attempts to establish himself as an everyday player after three goals, eight points and 18 PIMs in 29 games played in 2023-24.

Pesce did not play in the first two games of the season for the Devils in Prague as part of the NHL Global Series as he is still recovering from surgery for a fractured fibula. That said, with his presence at practice on Tuesday, Pesce's return seems to be on the immediate horizon. Pesce signed a six-year contract to join New Jersey in the offseason after nine successful seasons on Carolina's blueline. In 70 games in 2023-24, he had three goals, 13 points, 20 PIMs, and a +10 plus/minus while averaging 20:17 TOI/GP.