The New Jersey Devils are preparing for an important matchup with the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, and it looks like they will have reinforcements returning to the lineup. While they won’t have Brett Pesce, who was injured in their first matchup with the Avalanche on Sunday, they will get starting goalie Jacob Markstrom back.
Markstrom went down with a knee injury earlier this month. He came in to finish off a victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets after Jake Allen suffered cramps during the second intermission. Allen was luckily okay, but Markstrom got hurt in a pile up after the Jackets’ second goal.
Somehow, Markstrom finished the game since the Devils would have been forced to play an EBUG (emergency backup goalie) if Markstrom couldn’t continue. The Devils won the game, but Markstrom hasn’t played since.
That was just a little over two weeks ago, so it’s good to see Markstrom’s injury was minor. Most thought it was unlikely we’d see him again in October, but he is back before the kids throw their costumes on for Halloween.
The Devils are looking to establish themselves as one of the best teams in the NHL. They have an eight-game winning streak and an 8-1-0 record, sitting at the top of the league in standings. Colorado is a tough matchup, especially on the road, but if the Devils can keep this streak alive, then maybe they could get more respect.
Many were trying to say the Devils have had it easy to start the year, but that narrative is preposterous. The Devils have had anything but an easy schedule this season, and this home-and-home with the Avs proves it. If the Devils can sweep one of the Stanley Cup favorites this early in the season, then it solidifies them as a Cup contender themselves.
Jacob Markstrom can make his mark against the Colorado Avalanche
It’s early, but it will also be good to see Markstrom settle in. He’s struggled early, one of the few Devils to do so. He let in some rough goals against Carolina and Tampa Bay. He also had some big stops, but letting in a stinker here or there will really hurt a team against the best of the best.
Getting Markstrom back is hopefully a sign of things to come. They also have Seamus Casey making his season debut in this game to replace Pesce, who will be out for at least a few weeks. Getting these pieces back is essential to ensuring the depth remains consistent across the lineup.