New Jersey Devils News

Cam Talbot has lost his last three outings, so the Kings will likely turn to Rittich, who will attempt to capture his third victory in as many games with the team this season. In two games (2-0-0), Rittich has saved 39 of 41 shots (.951 SV%). Despite their recent struggles, Rittich and the Kings are -174 home favourites against a Detroit Red Wings squad that has lost three of their last five contests (2-3-0).

Allen will start for the first time since allowing three goals on 25 shots (.880 SV%) on December 30th in a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. Allen will attempt to start 2024 better than he ended 2023, winning only one of his last nine contests (1-7-1), posting a subpar .887 SV%. The Canadiens are coming off an impressive 4-3 win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday but are +128 home underdogs against the Buffalo Sabres, who have lost three of their last four (1-2-1), being outscored 15-8.

Meier will be unavailable for the Devils on Wednesday, January 3rd after he exited Saturday's contest against the Boston Bruins in the third period, playing only 12:30 time-on-ice. Before his injury, Meier had four points (4G / 0A) in four games after being held without a point in nine straight.

Hellebuyck had the night off on New Year's Eve but will likely return to the crease on Tuesday when the Jets host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hellebuyck has been amongst the best goalies in the league since mid-November, posting an outstanding .937 SV% in 15 games (11-2-2), allowing fewer than three goals in all but two contests. The Jets are -136 home favourites against a Lighting they defeated 3-2 on November 22nd, courtesy of a 31-save performance from Hellebuyck (.939 SV%).

Meier's status for the Devil's next game on Wednesday, January 3rd is up in the air after he exited Saturday's contest against the Boston Bruins in the third period, playing only 12:30 time-on-ice. Before his injury, Meier had four points (4G / 0A) in four games after being held without a point in nine straight.

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).