PRE-GAME AVAIL RECAP
NEWARK, NJ – Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton will return to the lineup tonight against Detroit, per head coach Sheldon Keefe.
“Dougie is going to be in today,” Keefe said. “He’s worked hard. I’d say he’s a little bit ahead of schedule. He was at 6-8 weeks was the projected time period. He’s at the front end of that. Credit to him for the work that he’s put in. He’s excited to go.”
Hamilton has missed the past 18 games with an undisclosed injury. He rejoined practice with his teammates on Saturday. The team debated whether or not to play him against Boston last night or Detroit tonight.
“We gave him the extra day and saved him the flight,” Keefe said. “He’ sexcited today and he’ll pair up with (Brenden) Dillon. It gives them a chance to get some reps in together.”
Hamilton has nine goals and 31 assists for 40 points this season in 63 games. It should be a boost to the back end offensively.
“We need him to do what he’s done,” Keefe said. “He moves the puck up from your end to the oppositions end and gets it to the net. He has the ability to score from anywhere. He brings a different element and it’s important.”
Remaining Lineup
With the finale against Detroit having no bearing on the Devils’ place in the standings, the club is opting to rest a lot of their top-end players. That includes captain Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Stefan Noesen, Timo Meier, Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, Johnathan Kovacevic and Jacob Markstrom.
“It’s a long list. We’ll have 10 guys (out),” Keefe said. “It’s a different type of lineup. It feels sort of like preseason. You’re trying to get through it. Give opportunities to guys. Just roll with the group. To that end it’s kind of exciting. It’s a group that’s going to compete and they have something to play for.”
Goalie Nico Daws, recalled this morning, will make the start.
Palat OK
Forward Ondrej Palat left the team’s game Tuesday night in Boston and with a few days of rest, should be good to go for the playoffs.
“He hasn’t skated. He had further tests and all have come back with good news,” Keefe said. “We’ll give him time to let the swelling to go down and work toward getting his skate on. It’s something he should push through pretty quickly.”
Update on Siegenthaler
Defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler has been skating. He’s been out of the lineup since Feb. 4 with a lower-body injury.
“It’s gone pretty well. The last couple of days he’s finally got some equipment on now,” Keefe said. “He’s starting to move a little more. All that is very positive, but he won’t be available for our (opening playoff) series.”
–Sam Kasan
