Devils at Avalanche

DEVILS (39-15-5) at AVALANCHE (34-19-5)

Devils projected lineup
Tomas Tatar -- Nico Hischier -- Dawson Mercer
Yegor Sharangovich -- Jack Hughes -- Jesper Bratt
Ondrej Palat - Erik Haula -- Jesper Boqvist
Miles Wood -- Michael McLeod -- Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler -- Dougie Hamilton
Ryan Graves -- John Marino
Kevin Bahl -- Damon Severson
Vitek Vanecek
Akira Schmid
Scratched: Brendan Smith, Graeme Clarke
Injured: Jonathan Bernier (hip); Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body), Timo Meier (upper body)
Avalanche projected lineup
Artturi Lehkonen -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Valeri Nichushkin
Evan Rodrigues -- J.T. Compher -- Mikko Rantanen
Andrew Cogliano -- Lars Eller -- Logan O'Connor
Denis Malgin -- Alex Newhook --
Matt Nieto
Samuel Girard -- Devon Toews
Bowen Byram -- Josh Manson
Jack Johnson --
Brad Hunt
Justus Annunen
Alexandar Georgiev
Scratched: None
Injured: Gabriel Landeskog (knee), Darren Helm (lower body), Erik Johnson (lower body), Pavel Francouz (lower body), Cale Makar (head), Kurtis MacDermid (head)
Status report
Meier, a forward acquired in a trade with the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, was expected to be cleared for practice and full contact Wednesday but will not play, Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. ... Eller, acquired in a trade with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, could make his Colorado debut. ... Makar will miss his fifth straight game; the Avalanche are waiting for the defenseman to tell them when he feels good enough to return, coach Jared Bednar said. ... MacDermid, a defenseman, remains in concussion protocol and will miss his second game in a row. ... Annunen will start; he made 19 saves in a 4-1 win at the St. Louis Blues in his season debut Feb. 18.