NEW JERSEY DEVILS (11-4-0) vs. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (7-6-2)

New Jersey closes out their homestand at Prudential Center against the Islanders.

Read below for your game preview presented by Ott, Shore and Co., and check back for the pre-game story.

MORNING SKATE RECAP

NEWARK, NJ. - The Devils held a full morning skate on Monday ahead of hosting the NY Islanders at Prudential Center.

Forward Zack MacEwen will return to the lineup for the team after missing the last 13 games with an undisclosed injury.

“He’ll go tonight,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said.

The Devils used the following lineup at morning skate…

Noesen – Hughes – Bratt
Meier – Hischier – Mercer
Palat – Glass – Gritsyuk
Cotter – Glendening – MacEwen

Siegenthaler – Nemec
Dillon – Hughes
Cholowski – White

Markstrom
Allen

Big Mac

MacEwen made his debut with the Devils in Tampa Bay on Oct. 11. Unfortunately for him, he suffered an injury in that game that has kept him sidelined for the past month.

“It’s unfortunate at the end of the game going down with an injury and missing a bit of time,” he said. “I just wanted to get in an establish myself with the group. I felt good in that game but it was disappointing going down with an injury.”

“I liked a lot of what he brought in that game in Tampa,” Keefe said. “It was unfortunate that he got injured. But he showed what he’s been in this league and in the American League. He’s a big guy that moves well. He has a good skillset, great shot, he’s physical. He’s a unique player that we don’t have a lot of. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can bring to that line.”

When MacEwen made his debut with the Devils, it came just days after being acquired via trade from Ottawa. Now, he’s got a solid month around the team and learning the system. So, he should be even more prepared to play than previously.

“There will be no toe dip, just jumping right in,” he said. “I’m just trying to get back to my game as fast as possible.”

He Said It

Keefe on No. 1-overall pick Matthew Shaefer: “Exceptional skating is the big thing that drives a lot of his game. He has lots of confidence. They’ve given him a ton of opportunity. He seems to have thrived in everything he’s touched so far. He has a lot of good things going on and it seems to have brought a lot of juice to their team at the same time.”

THE SCOOP

The New Jersey Devils continue to be a powerhouse at home this season, with a perfect 7-0-0 record and the only team in the NHL undefeated at home. It hasn't been all smooth sailing as New Jersey navigates its way through a slew of injuries, including those to Brett Pesce and Dougie Hamilton, which have depleted the blueline. Upfront, the team has played the last four games without forward Connor Brown, who has been out with an undisclosed injury, but has had the good fortune of Cody Glass returning to the lineup.

On this most recent homestand, New Jersey has defeated both the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime and the shootout, respectively. The team will head out on a five-game road trip next, with stops in Chicago, Washington, and through Florida to face the Lightning and Panthers, before concluding their trip in Philadelphia.

New Jersey currently sits second in the league standings with 22 points, one point behind the Colorado Avalanche.

The New York Islanders have started their season with a 7-6-2 record, most recently shutting out the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. On the road, the Islanders have a 3-3-1 record, and are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games played.

On Saturday against the Rangers, goaltender Ilya Sorokin posted his first shutout of the season, making 33 saves and was the Islanders first win at Madison Square Garden in three years, breaking a five-game winless streak as the visitors at MSG. The game against the Rangers began the start of a seven-game road trip for the Islanders.

The Islanders are led by Bo Horvat, who has 18 points in 15 games, 11 of which are goals. While 2025 No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer has 11 points in 15 games to begin his rookie season.

WHO’S HOT

Devils: Prudential Center... The Devils are a perfect 7-0-0 at home this season.

Islanders: Bo Horvat is coming off a two-goal performance against the Rangers, which extended his point streak to five games (5g-2a)

INJURIES

Devils:
Hamilton (lower-body), minimum 1 week
Brown (undisclosed), day-to-day
Pesce (upper-body), unknown
Dadonov (hand), month-to-month
Kovacevic (knee), month-to-month
McLaughlin (undisclosed)
MacEwen (upper body)

Islanders:

Shabanov (upper-body) day-to-day

REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE

• Nov. 10 vs. Islanders
• Dec. 23 at Islanders
• Jan. 6 at Islanders

GAME NOTES

• New Jersey is a perfect 8-0-0 when scoring first this season
• The Devils can tie the longest home winning streak from the start of a season in franchise history with an eighth consecutive win. New Jersey is currently 7-0-0 to start the season at home.
• The Islanders are averaging 30 shots per game, fifth best in the NHL this season.