The New Jersey Devils will try to win their sixth straight game Thursday, despite losing left wing Taylor Hall, who will miss the next 3-4 weeks after having arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee on Wednesday. Hall is tied for the Devils lead in goals (five) and points (12), is first in power-play goals (three) and game-winning goals (two). "It's tough for Taylor, he came in and was playing well," Devils coach John Hynes told NJ Advance Media. "As a new player to the organization, he was really starting to feel comfortable. So it's disappointing from that perspective, but it is athletics, so from a team standpoint, we wish him well in his recovery and he'll certainly be an active member of our team moving forward." Defenseman Jon Merrill will make his season debut and replace Yohann Auvitu (upper body), marking the first time this season coach John Hynes has adjusted his defensive pairs. Auvitu participated in the morning skate Thursday and remained with the extras afterward, according to NorthJersey.com. Merrill, activated off injured reserve on Nov. 15, broke his finger in a preseason game against the New York Rangers on Oct. 1. Hynes said left wing Michael Cammalleri will not join the Devils during the remainder of this four-game West Coast trip for personal reasons, but may rejoin the team next week. The Devils winning streak is their longest since they won five consecutive games Feb. 3-10, 2013. They are 8-1-2 in their past 11 games, but are 0-for-21 on the power play in the past six.
