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NEW JERSEY DEVILS (5-4-1) vs. DUCKS (3-3-1)
New Jersey hosts the Anaheim Ducks in a Sunday night matchup, the final home game before a three-game road trip to Western Canada.
The New Jersey Devils are coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to the New York Islanders and a stretch of nine games in 16 days, and a third game in four nights. The club is currently at its healthiest all year, with the recent return of Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes. Both defensemen have suited up in the last two games.
The Devils hope to improve their home record, where they have gone 2-2-2 to date, before they head out for their longest road trip of the season, beginning Wednesday in Vancouver. The Devils are 3-2-0 on the road this season.
Nico Hischier has five goals and six points in his past four games. His eight goals lead New Jersey and is tied for the lead in points (11) with Jesper Bratt.
The Ducks lost to the New York Rangers, 2-1, on Saturday night, having returned to game action after a three-day break. The Ducks are 3-3-1 this early season and are 1-2-1 on the road.
Goaltender Lukas Dostal has been carrying the majority of the load in net, playing six of their seven games, including Saturday night’s tilt against the Rangers. Dostal is 3-3-1. Backup goaltender James Reimer has played just one game, a loss to the Golden Knights on Oct. 13. Reimer joined the club via waivers from Buffalo in mid-October, shortly after the Sabres returned back from the Global Series in Prague.
Troy Terry has four goals in the past six games. He currently leads the Ducks in both goals and points (6).
INJURIES
Devils: Hatakka (shoulder), Vilen (upper-body).
Ducks: Gibson (abdomen), Sennecke (foot fracture), Suchanek (ruptured ACL)