Devils Notebook: Status Updates on Nico Hischier and Erik Haula

The New Jersey Devils are in Montreal to take on the Canadiens in their second road game of the 2023-24 season. While in New Jersey on Monday for a morning skate, we received a status update on Nico Hischier and Erik Haula.

Both centers were on the ice for Monday’s practice despite their questionable health status’. Here was the workflow for 5-on-5 line drills:

Ondrej Palat-Nico Hischier-Jesper Bratt

Tyler Toffoli-Jack Hughes-Timo Meier

Dawson Mercer-Erik Haula-Alexander Holtz

Curtis Lazar-Michael McLeod-Nathan Bastian

Jonas Siegenthaler-Dougie Hamilton

Kevin Bahl-John Marino

Brendan Smith-Luke Hughes

Head coach Lindy Ruff explained that he believed Hischier and Haula would be available for tonight’s game “if all goes well.”

Ruff continued: “I thought both players got through practice pretty good, but we’ll follow up on that.”

On Tuesday morning, better known as Game Day, Ruff disclosed more good news as he reiterated that Hischier and Haula will be available to play against the Canadiens.

Montreal Update

David Savard left last night’s contest against the Buffalo Sabres with an injury, according to Marco D’Amico of Montreal Hockey Now. As a result, Savard is unavailable for tonight’s game and the Canadiens have recalled defenseman Gustav Lindström from the Laval Rocket on an emergency basis.

As for the goaltending, it was assumed Samuel Montembeault was going to start against New Jersey Tuesday night after Jake Allen started against the Sabres on Monday. However, Montreal is carrying three goaltenders. At Tuesday’s morning skate, Allen was absent. Instead, Cayden Primeau was the first netminder off the ice and Montembeault remained for extra work. Montreal hasn’t disclosed their starting goaltender for Tuesday. We’ll have to wait for warmups.

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