The New Jersey Devils have been severely missing Nico Hischier from their lineup. Since he went down with an upper-body injury, which most believe was at the hands of an illegal cross-check against the Montreal Canadiens, the Devils have been floundering offensively. They get some offense from the top line of Jesper Bratt-Jack Hughes-Ondrej Palat, but the rest of the lineup struggled.
In the six games since Hischier got hurt, the Devils have been struggling even more than they were before his injury. While they did go 3-3, salvaging a .500 record, they did it on the backs of really good goaltending from Jake Allen and Nico Daws. The Devils are the second-worst team in the league in high-danger chance percentage (high-danger chances for vs. high-danger chances against). Only the Chicago Blackhawks are worse according to Natural Stat Trick.
Nico Hischier returns to practice for the New Jersey Devils. It couldn't come at a better time.
The power play hasn't been bad with Hischier, but it will be a massive upgrade to add him and replace Palat on the first unit. The Devils have three goals in six games with the man advantage with Hischier on the sidelines.
Hischier brings balance to the Devils lineup that doesn't exist without him. We know the Devils have needs in the bottom six, but without Hischier, this really is a one-line team. Timo Meier falls off without Hischier. Dawson Mercer falls off without Hischier. The Devils are forced to play Erik Haula on the second line when Hischier is out. He's been putrid offensively this season.
It's just practice, but with another week until the Devils next game, one can assume Hischier should be good to go by the time the break is over. It was good timing to get Hischier and others healthy. With Jack Hughes preparing to take USA to a 4 Nations championship, it's great to have Hischier back to hold down the fort.