New Jersey Devils News

Kovacevic will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Jordan Harris (lower-body) to make his return to the lineup from a 15-game absence. The 26-year-old Kovacevic has been a regular in the Canadiens lineup this season, scoring five points (4G / 1A), blocking 45 shots, and taking 28 hits while averaging 17:48 time-on-ice.

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Kings will turn to David Rittich for the second time in the last four games. In his Kings debut last week, Rittich saved 15 of 16 shots (.938 SV%) against the San Jose Sharks and will look to repeat his performance in a rematch against the Sharks on Wednesday. The Kings have won three of their last four (3-1-0) and are huge -344 home favourites against a Sharks team that has lost five straight (0-5-0), scoring only nine goals in that span.

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Kings will likely turn to David Rittich for the second time in the last four games. In his Kings debut last week, Rittich saved 15 of 16 shots (.938 SV%) against the San Jose Sharks and will look to repeat his performance in a rematch against the Sharks on Wednesday. The Kings have won three of their last four (3-1-0) and are huge -344 home favourites against a Sharks team that has lost five straight (0-5-0), scoring only nine goals in that span.

Hellebuyck is among the league's hottest goaltenders since mid-November and will return to the crease on Wednesday evening. Hellebuyck has won 10 of his last 13 games (10-1-2), allowing three or fewer goals in each contest, posting a sensational .938 SV%. The American netminder has been a big reason why the Jets have catapulted into a race for the top seed in the Central Division, and he is in for a favourable matchup against the league-worst Chicago Blackhawks.

Glass will re-enter the lineup for the Predators in favour of Yakov Trenin, who will be a healthy scratch. Glass last played on December 19th, scoring one point (1G / 0A) and two shots on goal in 12:23 time-on-ice.

Glass will take a seat on Thursday as the Predators are opting to dress seven defensemen in Philadelphia. Glass has registered just two points in 14 games this season.

New Jersey was dealt a huge blow Tuesday as it was announced Dougie Hamilton is expected to be out until the playoffs after being placed on long-term Injured Reserve. The Devils will now be without their top defensemen until at least the playoffs who had five goals, 11 assists, 61 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 20 games this season prior to getting hurt. The move opens up $9 million in cap space for the Devils.

Brown has failed to materialize as a contributor to the Oilers' offence this season and will likely serve as a healthy scratch on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. While averaging 14:26 time-on-ice, Brown has scored only one point (0G / 1A) through 23 games, including occasional deployment in the Oilers' top six.

Pheonix Copley went down with an undisclosed injury last week, prompting Rittich's call-up from the Ontario Reign (AHL). The 31-year-old veteran netminder is In his 9th NHL season and has a 79-51-21 career record with a .904 SV% and a 2.87 GAA. In 16 games with Ontario (7-6-3), Rittich a 2.63 GAA and .901 SV%. He has a favourable matchup in his Kings debut as they are -252 road favourites against a San Jose Sharks team that has scored only four goals combined over their last three games (1-2-0).

Pheonix Copley went down with an undisclosed injury last week, prompting Rittich's call-up from the Ontario Reign (AHL). The 31-year-old veteran netminder is In his 9th NHL season and has a 79-51-21 career record with a .904 SV% and a 2.87 GAA. In 16 games with Ontario (7-6-3), Rittich a 2.63 GAA and .901 SV%. He has a favourable matchup in his Kings debut as they are -252 road favourites against a San Jose Sharks team that has scored only four goals combined over their last three games (1-2-0).

Hellebuyck did not play in Wednesday's 5-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings but will return to the crease on Friday when the Jets host the Boston Bruins. Hellebuyck has been terrific lately, allowing two or fewer goals in 10 of his last 11 games (8-2-1) while posting a dazzling .939 SV%. The Jets are among the hottest teams in the league this month, losing only two of nine games in December (7-1-1), yet are slight +105 home underdogs against a Bruins team that has lost three of their last four contests (1-2-1).

Allen has only started once in the last two weeks but will return to the crease on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. Allen played well in a 2-1 losing effort to the Nashville Predators in his last outing on December 10th, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%). That said, Allen has struggled with consistency this season. After recording at least a point for his team in his first four outings (3-0-1), Allen has failed to record a victory in seven consecutive games (0-6-1), posting a .881 SV% in the process. As a result, the Canadiens are +220 road favourites against a Jets team that is among the hottest in the NHL, winning six of their last seven contests (6-1-0).

Hellebuyck has been otherwordly lately, consistently putting together strong performances, and will search for his sixth straight win in his third consecutive start on Monday. After a lacklustre start to the season, Hellebuyck has unfathomably allowed two or fewer goals in 10 straight contests, posting a remarkable .943 SV%. Few goalies in the league have been as reliable as Hellebuyck over the last month, and he looks poised to continue his strong play as the Jets are sizeable -230 home favourites against a Montreal Canadiens team that has lost three of their last five (2-1-2).

Hellebuyck draws the Jets' crease for the fourth time in five games as he looks to extend a personal four-game winning streak after a 32 save (.941 SV%) victory over Los Angeles last start. The 30-year-old workhorse netminder has been his usual solid self again this season, with his impressive 14-6-1 record, 2.42 GAA and .916 SV%. He'll host the Colorado Avalanche, who have won two straight and are fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.59).

Hellebuyck draws the Jets' crease for the fourth time in five games as he looks to extend a personal four-game winning streak after a 32 save (.941 SV%) victory over Los Angeles last start. The 30-year-old workhorse netminder has been his usual solid self again this season, with his impressive 14-6-1 record, 2.42 GAA and .916 SV%. He'll head to Colorado to take on the Avalanche, who have won two straight and are fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.59).

Evangelista will get the opportunity to play on Friday as Kiefer Sherwood (upper-body) is unavailable. Evangelista has four goals and ten assists in 28 games this season.

Pheonix Copley went down in practice with an undisclosed injury earlier Friday so David Rittich has been recalled from Ontario (AHL) on an emergency basis. The 31-year-old veteran netminder is In his 9th NHL season and has a 79-51-21 career record with a .904 SV% and a 2.87 GAA. He will likely backup Cam Talbot for the foreseeable future until Copley can return.