Zajac doesn't travel with Devils for opener of road trip

Travis Zajac has an undisclosed injury and did not travel with the New Jersey Devils for their game at the Nashville Predators on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; MSG+, FS-TN, NHL.TV).
The 32-year-old center was injured by an open-ice hit from Winnipeg Jets forward Andrew Copp at 12:45 of the second period Thursday and didn't return to a 3-2 loss at Prudential Center. Zajac has 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 51 games; he missed New Jersey's first 17 games following offseason surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle.

The Devils did not practice Friday. New Jersey begins a six-game road trip Saturday; all six games are against teams holding a Stanley Cup Playoff spot.
Center Pavel Zacha (upper body) also didn't make the trip and could miss his second straight game. Zacha, who's listed as day to day, has 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 60 games.
The Devils (34-26-8), who are one point ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference, will return to New Jersey on Sunday and practice Monday before leaving for their game at the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.