Devils host Senators with Kovacevic nearing season debut
New Jersey closes its homestand Monday against a 4-1-0 Ottawa team before travelling to Detroit for the second half of a back-to-back.
Johnathan Kovacevic is available for his first appearance of the season as the New Jersey Devils prepare to host the Ottawa Senators on Monday, Oct. 12, at Prudential Center. The club's preview says the defenceman is likely to play either against Ottawa or the following night in Detroit, without confirming a spot in Monday's lineup.
Kovacevic, who has been recovering from a knee injury, has been activated from injured reserve. Monday's game concludes a three-game homestand for New Jersey, which enters with a 2-2-0 record.
Ottawa is 4-1-0 through five games. Tim Stützle has four goals and eight points, while Drake Batherson has scored three times. Linus Ullmark has won all four of his appearances, allowing five goals with a 1.34 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.
New Jersey is coming off Saturday's 4-1 win over Vancouver, when it scored three power-play goals. Nico Hischier scored twice with the man advantage and added an assist, while Jake Allen earned the win in his 500th NHL game.
