Devils Notebook: Bratt Misses Practice, Injured Defensemen Skate

Ahead of the New Jersey Devils’ second matchup of the season against the Washington Capitals on Saturday, some good news came out of morning skate regarding a pair of injured defensemen. Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes both took the ice in regular practice jerseys this morning on the ice at RWJBarnabas Arena.

PREGAME READ: Devils vs Capitals: Projected Lines; Notes; How to Watch, & More

The duo both appear to be out of the lineup tonight, but it’s a good sign that they, yet again, have joined the team for practice sporting regular jerseys. Pesce and Hughes worked together as a fourth defensive pair during morning skate, a possible foreshadowing for when they both return.

There was one absentee from the morning skate. Forward Jesper Bratt was the only one not on the ice this morning due to illness. The joint team leader in points, however, is still expected to play tonight.

In his place during morning line rushes was forward Adam Beckman. Beckman is returning from an injury of his own and has been recovering with the Devils staff over the past few weeks.

Jacob Markstrom is back in net after a solid performance against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

Here was Saturday’s workflow prior to tonight’s game:

Devils Lines*

Forwards

Paul Cotter — Jack Hughes — Adam Beckman (expected to be Jesper Bratt tonight)

Timo Meier — Nico Hischier — Dawson Mercer

Tomas Tatar— Erik Haula — Stefan Noesen

Ondrej Palat — Curtis Lazar — Nathan Bastian

Defensemen

Brenden Dillon — Dougie Hamilton

Jonas Siegenthaler — Johnathan Kovacevic

Seamus Casey — Simon Nemec

Luke Hughes — Brett Pesce

Brett Pesce

Goaltenders

Jacob Markstrom

Jake Allen

*Lines via Amanda Stein, subject to change in warmups.

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