A couple of key roster pieces could await the New Jersey Devils coming out of the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, while the Dallas Stars want to keep building momentum through the final two months of the regular season.
The Devils might have forward Nico Hischier back in the lineup when they host the Stars on Saturday night in Newark, N.J.
Following the extended down time from the recent break, both New Jersey and Dallas are among the top three teams in their respective divisions, and hope to maintain, or improve, those positions down the stretch.
The Devils are third in the Metropolitan Division and have won five of their last eight games. Hischier, third on the team with 43 points, has been out since Jan. 25 with an oblique injury. He practiced this week ahead of a pending return.
“He knows how his body feels. He didn’t seem to have any discomfort (at practice),” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said. “I suspect he’ll be ready to go.”
Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom also is close to a return following a sprained MCL on Jan. 22. Markstrom, who has a 2.20 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 36 starts (21-9-5), also skated this week.
New Jersey’s top two scorers Jack Hughes (United States) and Jesper Bratt (Sweden) each took part in the 4 Nations Face-Off, which finished with Canada’s 3-2 overtime victory against the U.S. on Thursday. Both could be ready for the Devils, who entered the break following a 4-0 road victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 8.
Hughes and Bratt each scored against the Canadiens, while Jake Allen made 34 saves to record his second shutout in four starts for New Jersey. The Devils hope to improve on their 3-3-1 stretch in home games going back to Jan. 11.
“That break was a great time for us to get away, now regroup, come back recharged and play to our potential,” Devils veteran forward Curtis Lazar said, according to NHL.com.
Dallas is second in the Central Division and 6-1-1 since Jan. 24. The Stars entered the break off an 8-3 win at San Jose, where they trailed 2-0 just 2:46 into the contest. Matt Duchene recorded his second straight game with two goals and an assist, while Mikael Granlund added two assists.
“We’re in a good spot right now,” said Dallas forward Mason Marchment, who also scored against the Sharks.
“So, I think a lot of (these) next two months is building our game for being in the right place going into the playoffs.”
Dallas’ Granlund (Finland), Esa Lindell (Finland), Roope Hintz (Finland), Jake Oettinger (United States) and Thomas Harley (Canada) each competed in 4 Nations. Granlund recorded three goals with an assist in the three-game tournament and has four assists in four contests since Dallas acquired him from San Jose.
Dallas has outscored the Devils 18-6 during a four-game winning streak at New Jersey. Hintz has posted four goals with an assist in the last three at New Jersey, while USA 4 Nations snub Jason Robertson has recorded four assists in the same stretch.
