New Jersey Devils News

Allen will return to the Canadiens' crease on Sunday after suffering through his worst start of the season on Tuesday against the Lightning. Allen allowed four goals on just nine shots before being lifted in favour of Sam Montembeault. Despite the abysmal start, Allen still owns a respectable .910 SV%, a 3.35 GAA , and a 3-2-1 record across six starts on the season. He draws a difficult home matchup on Sunday with the Canadiens being a +130 underdog against the Canucks.

Pesce has missed the Hurricanes' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision Friday as the team heads to Florida. The 28-year-old will make a welcome return to the lineup as he's averaged at least 21:42 TOI in each of the last four seasons and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through five games prior to the injury.

Mantha scored two goals in the Capitals' previous game vs. Florida but was forced to leave after 12:58 TOI due to an upper-body injury and has been placed on the injured reserve Friday. The 29-year-old right-winger has started off slow yet again in 2023-24, with his three goals, one assist, 12 SOG, four PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 10 games played.

Brown has missed the Oilers' last two games due to a soft-tissue injury and is still considered day-to-day even though he skated Thursday. The 29-year-old signed a one-year, $4 million contract in the offseason but has been a massive disappointment as he is yet to collect a point through nine games but has 13 SOG, and a -5 plus/minus.

Tufte is expected to play his second game of the season for the Avalanche on Thursday when they take on the Seattle Kraken. In his only game this season, Tufte was held without a point but took four shots on goal in 11:28 time-on-ice.

Pesce has missed the Hurricanes' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision Friday as the team heads to Florida. The 28-year-old will make a welcome return to the lineup as he's averaged at least 21:42 TOI in each of the last four seasons and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through five games prior to the injury.

Mantha is coming off his best performance of the season, scoring two goals but exiting in the third period after suffering an upper-body injury. He will miss at least the next two games and could be replaced by Michael Sgarbossa, who was recalled by the Capitals earlier in the week.

Valeri Nichushkin did not practice with the Avalanche on Wednesday as he was away from the team for the birth of his child. He has not been ruled out of Thursday's game against the Settle Kraken but if he is unable to go, look for Tufte to slot into the lineup. In his only game this season, Tufte recorded zero points and four shots in 11:28 time-on-ice.

The Habs number-one netminder will return to the crease on Tuesday after Sam Montembeault got the call against the Blues on Saturday. Allen has enjoyed an incredibly hot start to the season, registering a .927 SV% and a 2.72 GAA along with a 3-1-1 record across his first five starts. He'll be looking to get back in the win column tonight after suffering a defeat in Arizona on Thursday despite surrendering just three goals on 35 shots (.914 SV%). Allen and the Habs are fortunate to catch the Lightning on the tail-end of a back-to-back, but they are still slight underdogs at +110.

Pesce, who has missed the Hurricanes' last seven games with a lower-body injury, participated at practice on Monday in a non-contact jersey. His presence at practice is an encouraging sign for the Hurricanes, though his actual return to the lineup will be dependent on when he is cleared for contact. Pesce has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.

Hughes suffered an upper-body injury during Friday's loss in St. Louis after crashing into the end-boards in the first period. As previously reported, Hughes avoided the worst-case scenario but is still expected to miss time. While meeting with the media on Sunday, head coach Lindy Ruff called Hughes week-to-week. Expect Dawson Mercer to centre the Devils' top line with both Hughes and Nico HIschier out.

Hughes left Friday's game after a heavy collision with the end-boards and did not return. While there's been no official update from the team, words is Hughes is expected to "miss some time" but the "worst-case scenario has been avoided." With Hughes out, the Devils recalled Maxwell Willman from Utica (AHL).

After allowing five goals on 42 shots in a 6-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Canadiens season-opener, Allen has settled into an impressive run, winning three straight games and posting a 2.63 GAA and .930 SV% on the season (3-0-1). Allen and the Canadiens are +113 road underdogs against the Arizona Coyotes, who are averaging 4.5 goals per game over their last four outings (1-2-1).

Rodrigues did not practice Wednesday due to an undisclosed injury and was originally a game-time decision Thursday vs. Detroit but will draw into the lineup without any restrictions. The signed a four-year, $12 million contract in the offseason to join the Panthers and has two goals, six assists, 26 SOG, six PIMs and a +7 plus/minus through eight games to start 2023-24.

Tufte played 11:28 in his Avalanche debut on Wednesday, recording four shots, one hit, and a -1 plus/minus rating. He has now been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles where he has eight points (6G / 2A) in six games.

After a terrific start to the AHL season with the Colorado Eagles, recording eight points (6G / 2A) in six games, Tufte has been recalled by the Avalanche. Tufte has only played 13 games in his NHL career, all with the Dallas Stars, in which he has recorded one point (1G / 0A). He is expected to make his Avalanche debut on Wednesday playing on a line with Ryan Johansen and Valeri Nichushkin.

After a terrific start to the AHL season with the Colorado Eagles, recording eight points (6G / 2A) in six games, Tufte has been recalled by the Avalanche. Tufte has only played 13 games in his NHL career, all with the Dallas Stars, in which he has recorded one point (1G / 0A).