Devils Forward Injured, Leaves Game After Fighting Major

Well, that certainly didn’t go how Nathan Bastian had hoped. Amid the New Jersey Devils’ tilt with the Calgary Flames on Friday night at the Saddledome, Bastian did not return after the first period due to a jaw injury. No timeline was disclosed on his injury.

This wasn’t one of those injuries where you have to guess what might have happened.

In the first period of the scoreless tilt, Flames forward Ryan Lomberg threw a questionable check on Devils forward Paul Cotter. Fortunately, Cotter was just fine, and Lomberg actually might have missed the hit. Regardless, Bastian came rushing to the defense of his teammate and dropped the mitts with Lomberg.

Only, that defense didn’t go as planned, as Lomberg unleashed several lefts on Bastian, leaving him defenseless.

Ryan Lomberg just unloaded a half dozen big lefts on Nathan Bastian in a one-sided tilt#Flames | #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/l2Q4Qu8asU

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) November 2, 2024

Bastian and Lomberg each received five minutes for fighting. However, the Devils forward received an extra two minutes for instigating, which was served by Tomas Tatar.

Fortunately, the Devils’ penalty kill has been top-notch, and they killed off the instigating minor.

Bastian’s night was over after he took just five shifts in which he accrued 03:29 of ice time.

If Bastian misses time, add him to the injured list alongside fellow Devils forward, and line mate, Curtis Lazar.

Lazar underwent successful knee surgery on Thursday, and is expected to miss extended time, although it may not be season ending.

RELATED: Devils Coach Provides Pessimistic Injury Update on Curtis Lazar

Bastian has been quite effective so far this season despite two healthy scratches in favor of enforcer Kurtis MacDermid.

Through 11-plus games, the 26-year-old fourth line forward has accrued two goals and five points while also serving as a strong forechecking forward.

For more Devils news, visit New Jersey Hockey Now, subscribe to our YouTube and like our Facebook page.

Follow us on 𝕏:

@NJDHockeyNow, @JamesNicholsNHL, @NickNatale10

And on Threads:

@JamesNicholsNHL