Description: Devils center Adam Henrique was a healthy scratch Tuesday but he'll return to action Thursday against Pittsburgh, according to the Bergen Record.
Insight: Henrique missed the first two weeks of the season while recovering from an injury and he has been a major disappointment since then. After posting four goals and six points in his first seven games, Henrique has seven goals and 10 points in his last 33 games.
Description: Devils backup goaltender Johan Hedberg will start between the pipes Thursday versus Pittsburgh.
Insight: Hedberg hasn't played since March 19 after turning in a lackluster performance while Martin Brodeur was on injured reserve. He has a 5-9-3 record and a .886 SV% this season.
Description: Devils winger David Clarkson had a goal and an assist Saturday against Florida.
Insight: This season started out so well for Clarkson, as he had 10 goals and 17 points over his first 20 games, but even with Saturday's output he has just four goals and six points over his last 24 games. Overall, he's on a similar pace to last season, when he had 30 goals and 46 points in 80 games. Per 82 games this season, he's on a 26-goal and 43-point pace.
Description: Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur's second shutout of the season Thursday against the Flyers helped New Jersey end a 10-game losing streak.
Insight: The Devils had not won a game since March 23. Brodeur saved all 23 shots he saw Thursday night.
Description: Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) will not travel with the team to Philadelphia, according to the Bergen Record.
Insight: Kovalchuk (10 G, 17 A in 32 games) initially said he would accompany the team to Philly Wednesday afternoon and decide after Thursday's morning skate if he would play Thursday night against the Flyers, but the Devils decided to leave him back. He hasn't played since March 23 and the Devils haven't won a game since.
Description: Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) skated Tuesday and is expected to practice Wednesday, according to Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record.
Insight: Kovalchuk (10 G, 17 A in 32 games) hasn't played since March 23 and the Devils haven't won a game since.
Description: Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) returned to practice Tuesday, but will not be ready to play in Friday's game with Ottawa.
Insight: Kovalchuk (10 G, 17 A in 32 games) is a must start whenever he returns, but the team likely won't allow that until his shoulder is completely healed. Monday is a more likely date for his return.
Description: The league has handed New Jersey defenseman Anton Volchenkov a four-game suspension for elbowing Bruins left wing Brad Marchand in the head on Wednesday.
Insight: Fantasy owners won't miss Volchenkov (one goal and three assists this season) but they will miss Marchand if the head injury he suffered turns out to be serious. Marchand leads the team in points (33) and goals (16) this season. For now, the B's are listing him as day-to-day.
Description: Devils backup goaltender Johan Hedberg is expected to miss Wednesday's game against Boston with an undisclosed injury.
Insight: Hedberg hasn't played since mid-March because he's struggled to a 2.73 GAA and .886 save percentage. At this point Martin Brodeur should start from here on out. Keith Kinkaid will back up Bordeur.
Description: Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) returned to practice Tuesday but said he's still "a few more days" away from being ready to return from his injury, according to the Bergen Record.
Insight: Kovalchuk (10 G, 17 A in 32 games) hasn't played since March 23. "Conditioning-wise I feel good," Kovalchuk said. "That never was as a problem. I just want to make sure I’m 100 percent when I’m in contact and I can shoot the one-timers and I can take the hard wrist shots. It’s definitely going to take a few more days." Devils coach Pete DeBoer said that the team is taking it "day by day," but added that he isn't going to wait until his shoulder is completely healed either.
Description: Devils coach Pete DeBoer said that Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) is making progress and should be back for the stretch drive, but there is still no timetable for his return and he isn't expected to play this weekend, according to a Bergen Record report.
Insight: Kovalchuk (10 G, 17 A in 32 games) hasn't played since March 23.
Description: Devils coach Pete DeBoer said that Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) has begun rehabbing but won't return "in the near future." SOURCE: Tom Gulitti, Bergen Record
Insight: Kovalchuk is already nine days into a 2-4 week timetable so it looks like he'll miss more than the minimum.
Description: Devils right wing Steve Bernier netted a pair of goals Saturday in a loss to Florida.
Insight: Bernier bounced back from a brutal -3 effort Friday at Tampa Bay. Saturday marked Bernier's second multi-goal performance of the year. The other came February 3rd against the Islanders.
Description: The initial prognosis is that Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk will miss 2-4 weeks with a right shoulder injury, according to the Bergen Record.
Insight: However, that prognosis was made without Kovalchuk having an MRI. He'll undergo an MRI Sunday to get a more definitive diagnosis. GM Lou Lamoriello was confident Kovalchuk would not require surgery.
Description: Devils center Travis Zajac handed out two assists for the second straight game Saturday against the Panthers.
Insight: Zajac found Patrik Elias and David Clarkson for goals in the second period. He has been a disappointment this year with five goals and eight assists in 32 games despite getting extended ice time as a center for all of the team's top scorers.
Description: Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur played his first game since Feb. 21 Thursday against the Hurricanes and saved 17 of 18 shots while also picking up his third career goal in a 4-1 win. Brodeur missed a month due to a pinched nerve in his upper back.
Insight: Brodeur was the last Devils player to touch the puck before Jordan Staal made an errant pass that bounced off the boards and into his own net. Carolina was working on a delayed penalty so netminder Dan Ellis was on his way off the ice, leaving the net vacant. Brodeur improved to 9-2-3 with the win.
Description: New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur is expected to play Thursday against Carolina. Brodeur has been out for the past month while dealing with neck and back injuries.
Insight: Brodeur lost when he faced the Hurricanes earlier in the year so he should be eager to redeem himself. He's 8-2-3 this season with a 2.27 GAA.
Description: Devils winger David Clarkson snapped a string of 13 games without a goal Friday against the Flyers. He led New Jersey with eight SOG.
Insight: Clarkson, a 30-goal scorer last season, had 10 goals and five assists over his first 14 games but he had just three points, all assists, in his last 13 before Friday.
Description: New Jersey Devils winger Dainius Zubrus, who underwent wrist surgery on Feb. 14, has begun skating.
Insight: Zubrus was expected to miss four-to-six weeks and it looks like it will be closer to the six- week mark as he's still not cleared to hold a stick, according to a Bergen Record report. He scored four points in the first nine games before the injury and totaled 44 points (17 G, 27 A) in 2011-12.
Description: Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur (back) won't travel to Philadelphia for Friday's game but coach Pete DeBoer has not ruled him out for Saturday's game against Montreal, according to the Bergen Record.
Insight: "It’s really day to day," DeBoer said. "We’re waking up on a daily basis, having conversations with him and seeing how he feels. I can’t tell you anything more than that." Brodeur hasn't played since Feb. 21. Johan Hedberg has won two straight games but owns a 3-6-1 record and 3.42 GAA since Brodeur last played.
Description: Devils forward Patrik Elias has scored a goal in three straight games.
Insight: Elias' line with David Clarkson and Adam Henrique was firing on all cylinders earlier this season but all three have slowed down. Even with a goal in three straight, Elias only has four points over his last eight games.
Description: Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk had a pair of goals Saturday.
Insight: Kovalchuk had three assists in his last four games prior to Saturday but hadn't scored a goal since Feb. 23. He has underwhelmed with nine goals and 13 assists in 25 games but fantasy owners have to like all the SOG (91).
Description: Devils defenseman Henrik Tallinder did not travel with the team and will miss Saturday's game against Carolina due to a lower body injury.
Insight: Tallinder has yet to prove he's fantasy worthy, as in his best season (2005) he still only produced 21 points.
Description: Devils goaltender Johan Hedberg was pulled from Tuesday's start after allowing three goals on 11 shots in 33 minutes but he'll get the nod Thursday.
Insight: Hedberg has been awful since mid-February but the team has no choice but to start him with Martin Brodeur (back) on injured reserve unless it wants to go with Keith Kinkaid, an undrafted rookie who made his NHL debut Tuesday in relief.
Description: Devils center Adam Henrique had his sixth goal of the season Tuesday versus Tampa Bay.
Insight: Henrique had four goals and six points in his first seven games after making his season debut on Jan. 31 but he has slipped as of late just like the rest of New Jersey's offense.
Description: Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur (back) will miss at least two more games, according to NHL.com.
Insight: When asked about the injury earlier this week, Brodeur said, "Everything is fine. I don't think it's a big deal. I don't think anybody around here is worried about it." But the goaltender hasn't played since Feb. 21 and won't return for Monday or Tuesday's game. Johan Hedberg is 0-3-1 with 14 goals allowed since Brodeur last played.
Description: Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur (injured reserve with a back injury) isn't eligible to come off the injured list until after Saturday's game, so Johan Hedberg will be in goal Saturday.
Insight: When asked about the injury earlier this week, Brodeur said, "Everything is fine. I don't think it's a big deal. I don't think anybody around here is worried about it." Fantasy owners need their starter back in the lineup as he's played very well this season (8-2-3, 2.27 GAA, .911 SV%).
Description: With Martin Brodeur on injured reserve with a back injury, Johan Hedberg will get the start between the pipes for New Jersey Thursday at Winnipeg.
Insight: Hedberg started out 2-0-1 with a 0.65 GAA but he has given up 14 goals over his last three starts (0-3).
Description: According to The Bergen Record's Tom Gulitti, the Devils have placed goaltender Martin Brodeur on injured reserve with a back injury.
Insight: When asked about the injury earlier this week, Brodeur said, "Everything is fine. I don't think it's a big deal. I don't think anybody around here is worried about it." However, he'll now be out until at least March 4.
Description: According to The Record's Tom Gulitti, New Jersey netminder Martin Brodeur is dealing with a minor back injury.
Insight: That's why Brodeur sat out Sunday against Winnipeg. When asked about the injury, Brodeur said, "Everything is fine. I don't think it's a big deal. I don't think anybody around here is worried about it." The Devils don't play again until Thursday so Brodeur will have a few days to heal up.
Description: Johan Hedberg got the start in net Sunday against Winnipeg instead of veteran Martin Brodeur.
Insight: Brodeur (8-2-3, 2.27 GAA) was expected to get the start but the coaching staff went with Hedberg instead after Brodeur experienced soreness during warmups. For now, consider the 40-year-old Brodeur day-to-day.
Description: New Jersey Devils backup goaltender Johan Hedberg will get the start Saturday against Washington, according to Tom Gulitti of The Record.
Insight: Hedberg has been tough to beat in his first four starts this season (2-1-1, .935 saves percentage, 1.71 GAA). He's a viable spot starter for any fantasy owner needing goaltending help.
Description: Devils winger David Clarkson is questionable for Thursday's game against Washington due to a strained neck.
Insight: Clarkson, a 30-goal scorer last season, is off to a great start with 10 goals, six assists and 67 shots in 16 games. He's also producing his usual high-PIM total (35), making him one of the best all-around players in fantasy hockey.
Description: New Jersey Devils backup goaltender Johan Hedberg will get the start Saturday against the New York Islanders.
Insight: Hedberg was one of the best backup netminders in the NHL last season, winning 17 games with a 2.22 GAA and .918 save percentage and he has been almost untouchable in his first three starts this season (2-0-1, .973 saves percentage, 0.65 GAA). He's a viable spot starter for any fantasy owner needing goaltending help.
Description: Devils center Travis Zajac had his first point of February with a goal Friday against the Flyers.
Insight: Zajac scored a goal in each of the first two games but he had no goals and one assist over his last 11 contests. He's yet to prove that he can succeed without Zach Parise.
Description: Devils forward David Clarkson scored the game-winner Friday against the Flyers.
Insight: Clarkson, a 30-goal scorer last season, is having a career year with 10 goals, six assists and 60 shots in 14 games. He's also producing his usual high-PIM total, making him one of the best all-around players in fantasy hockey.
Description: Devils forward Patrik Elias had a goal and two assists, two SOG and a plus-3 rating Friday against the Flyers.
Insight: Elias had a positive differential for 12 straight seasons before putting up one in the red the last two years. He's at plus-10 through 14 games. The winger is also playing at better than a point-per-game pace with 18 points (4 G, 14 A) and has 11 over his last six contests.
Description: Devils winger Dainius Zubrus is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Carolina with an upper body injury. According to nj.com the team is concerned that this is a long-term problem which might require surgery.
Insight: Zubrus scored 17 goals and 27 assist in the last season and has posted a plus rating in four of the past five seasons. He's got a goal and three assists in nine games this season.
Description: Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk notched the game-winning goal Sunday night versus Pittsburgh.
Insight: So much for that scoring drought. Kovalchuk had zero points in five games from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5 but he has five with 11 SOG over his last three.
Description: Devils forward David Clarkson continued his torrid scoring pace with two more goals Sunday against the Penguins.
Insight: Clarkson has nine goals on the season and two two-goal games this month. He has also contributed six assists, 50 SOG, a plus-4, 7 PPP and of course, 19 PIM.
Description: Martin Brodeur has won his last three starts, but Devils backup goaltender Johan Hedberg will get the start Sunday against Pittsburgh. Hedberg saved all 22 shots that came his way last Sunday in a shutout of the Islanders.
Insight: Hedberg was one of the best backup netminders in the NHL last season, winning 17 games with a 2.22 GAA and .918 save percentage and he has been untouchable in his first two starts (.980 saves percentage, 0.48 GAA). He faces a tough opponent Sunday in the Penguins.
Description: Devils winger Dainius Zubrus will miss Sunday's game against Pittsburgh with an upper body injury.
Insight: Zubrus scored 17 goals and 27 assist in the last season and has posted a plus rating in four of the past five seasons. He's got a goal and three assists in nine games this season.
Description: Devils winger Dainius Zubrus is questionable for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh with an upper body injury.
Insight: Zubrus scored 17 goals and 27 assist in the last season and has posted a plus rating in four of the past five seasons. He's got a goal and three assists in nine games this season.
Description: Devils blueliner Andy Greene has six points in 10 games. He scored a goal and had one assist Thursday night.
Insight: Greene's career high in points is 37, and that came back in 2009-10. He had just 16 in 56 last season but he is also playing more frequently on the power play this season. Both of his points Thursday came with the man advantage, giving him four PPP on the season.
Description: Devils center Adam Henrique scored his third goal of the season Thursday versus Tampa Bay.
Insight: Henrique has jumped right in after making his season debut five games ago. He has four points and eight SOG and should only improve when he moves onto one of the top three lines.
Description: Devils forward Patrik Elias had a goal and two assists with three shots Thursday against the Lightning.
Insight: Elias has produced six points (1 G, 5 A) over the last two games and 13 (3 G, 10 A) in 10 games this season. Six of his points have come on the power play.
Description: Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk snapped his pointless streak at five with a goal and an assist Thursday against Tampa Bay. He added five SOG and a plus-1.
Insight: Kovalchuk produced five points over his first four games but didn't register a single point over the last five despite racking up 13 SOG.
Description: Devils forward Patrik Elias assisted on all three of New Jersey's goals Tuesday against the Rangers.
Insight: Elias was nearly a point-per-game player last season (78 in 81) and he's ahead of that pace so far in 2012-13. In nine games Elias has two goals and eight assists. Elias has fantastic chemistry with David Clarkson, especially on the power play.
Description: Devils forward David Clarkson scored the team's final two goals in a 3-1 win over the Rangers Tuesday night. He finished with three shots and a plus-2 differential.
Insight: Clarkson has seven goals, four assists, 38 shots and 11 penalty minutes in nine games. He had 30 goals on 228 shots last season despite not getting top-six ice time. He's getting both top-six and power-play minutes this season.
Description: Devils center Adam Henrique said he "feels good" after playing his first three games of the season following a long layoff due to thumb surgery. SOURCE: Newark Star-Ledger (NJ.com)
Insight: "Conditioning-wise I feel good," Henrique said. "The thumb feels good. There are no issues. The thing is, anytime you have an extended period of time off you're going to be a little bit rusty. I was happy with the weekend and the way my game progressed." Henrique had two points (1 G, 1 A) with four SOG through his first three games.
Description: Devils goaltender Marty Brodeur will return to the crease Tuesday against the Rangers to try to reverse his cold streak. Backup Johan Hedberg blanked the Islanders Sunday in a spot start.
Insight: Brodeur has given up 14 goals in his last 186 minutes (4.52 GAA) but it's going to be difficult for fantasy owners to sit him for a home game against the hated Rangers.
Description: Devils backup goaltender Johan Hedberg saved all 22 shots that came his way Sunday in a shutout of the Islanders.
Insight: Hedberg was one of the best backup netminders in the NHL last season, winning 17 games with a 2.22 GAA and .918 SV%, and he has been untouchable in his first two starts (.980 SV%, 0.48 GAA). He should get more starts as the season wears on.
Description: New Jersey Devils defenseman Mark Fayne is questionable for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh due to an arm injury suffered Tuesday against Boston..
Insight: Fayne doesn't hold a lot of fantasy value, posting four goals and 13 assists in 2011-12. He did own a solid +17 rating.
Description: Devils center Adam Henrique (thumb) has been confirmed to play Thursday for the first time this season. SOURCE: The Bergen Record
Insight: Henrique underwent surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb in late November. Henrique will initially play on the fourth line with Krys Barch and Matt Anderson before moving up to the top six.
Description: Devils center Adam Henrique (thumb) could be ready to return as soon as Thursday. Cam Janssen was waived "to create a roster spot at this point," Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said. That spot will likely be for Henrique. SOURCE: The Bergen Record
Insight: Henrique tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb back on Nov. 25 in an AHL game and had to have surgery. Lamoriello wouldn't commit to the forward playing Thursday, calling him day-to-day. Dainius Zubrus has been getting a lot of playing time on two lines -- one with Ilya Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac and another with Patrik Elias and David Clarkson. Henrique could bump either Zubrus or Zajac off the Kovalchuk line when he returns.
Description: Devils backup goaltender Johan Hedberg saved 27 of 28 shots Tuesday against the Bruins but had to take a tough-luck 2-1 loss after Boston won a shootout.
Insight: Hedberg was one of the best backup netminders in the NHL last season, winning 17 games with a 2.22 GAA and .918 SV%. He hadn't started yet this season since New Jersey had not played a back-to-back. Once the games get more packed together for the Devils, Hedberg should get more playing time to give 40-year-old Martin Brodeur some rest.
Description: Devils forward David Clarkson's fourth goal of the season was New Jersey's only score of the night Tuesday against Boston.
Insight: Clarkson has scored a goal in four of five games this season. Three of them were assisted by Patrik Elias. The two have great chemistry playing together on the team's power-play unit.
Description: The Devils will roll with backup goaltender Johan Hedberg Tuesday against the Bruins.
Insight: With New Jersey not playing a back-to-back yet, Martin Brodeur has started all four games for the Devils this season. Hedberg should see more time as the season goes on.
Description: Devils goaltender Marty Brodeur hasn't needed a backup yet this season. He'll be out there again Sunday against the Canadiens for his fourth consecutive start.
Insight: Brodeur is 3-0 with a 0.98 GAA and .958 SV% at age 40. New Jersey hasn't played a back-to-back yet so Brodeur hasn't needed to sit. We suspect he'll get a rest for one of the games during a back-to-back on Feb. 2-3.
Description: New Jersey Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk had two points (1 G, 1 A) with two SOG, two PIM and a plus-2 differential Tuesday against the Flyers.
Insight: It was Kovalchuk's first goal of the season. He had 37 of them in 77 games last year. THe winger is already at plus-3 after registering a minus-9 in 2011-12.
Description: Devils forward David Clarkson scored his second goal of the season on two shots and racked up nine penalty minutes Tuesday against the Flyers.
Insight: Clarkson scored 30 goals on 228 shots with 138 PIM last season. He's a must-own in all leagues.
Description: Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur picked up win No. 2 with a shutout Tuesday against the Flyers. He saved all 24 of the shots he saw.
Insight: Brodeur (2-0-0) has only faced 43 shots in two games and he has saved 42 of them. The veteran has come out of the lockout ready to roll. He'll be helped by the fact that New Jersey doesn't play a back-to-back until Feb. 2-3, giving him a chance to potentially start six straight games.
Description: Devils center Adam Henrique (thumb) will return in 7-10 days. SOURCE: Tom Gulitti, Bergen Record
Insight: Henrique tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb back on Nov. 25 in an AHL game but he's getting close. If Henrique can return for New Jersey's game on Feb. 2 against the Penguins he will have missed just six games.
Description: Devils center Adam Henrique (thumb) said his rehab from surgery to re-attach ligaments in his left thumb is "going well" but he could miss "a couple more weeks." SOURCE: Newark Star-Ledger
Insight: Henrique tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb back on Nov. 25 in an AHL game. The forward scored 16 goals with 35 assists in 74 games last season, his first major action in the NHL. Fortunately, the Devils don't have any back-to-backs until Feb. 2-3 so Henrique may miss less than 10 games.
Description: Devils center Adam Henrique (thumb) skated Wednesday for the first time since late November but is still a couple of weeks away from being able to play. SOURCE: The Bergen Record
Insight: Henrique tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb back on Nov. 25 in an AHL game. He posted 16 goals and 35 assists last season.
Description: New Jersey Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk said that he is waiting for the official announcement of the new CBA; he's playing in the KHL now to "stay in shape." SOURCE: Dmitry Chesnokov, Yahoo! Sports
Insight: According to the Bergen Record, there were rumors that Kovalchuk might remain in Russia to play in the Kontinental Hockey League even after the NHL lockout officially ends. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said that a player's NHL contract could be voided if the player continues to play in the KHL while under contract in the NHL.
Description: Devils center Adam Henrique had the cast removed from his hand this week (thumb), but will likely require about more four weeks of rehab before he can get back to playing hockey.
Insight: Henrique tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb back on Nov. 25 in an AHL game. He posted 16 goals and 35 assists last season and should be on a roster in all fantasy leagues despite the injury.
Description: New Jersey Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk will sign a deal with SKA Petersburg of Russia's KHL on Tuesday, according to a report in the Bergen Record.
Insight: Kovalchuck had 83 points (37 goals and 46 assists) in 77 games this season, though he also posted a disappointing -9 rating. The deal reportedly will allow him to return to the NHL when the lockout is over.
