One player was noticeably missing from the New Jersey Devils practice on Monday afternoon.
Goaltender Jake Allen was not on the ice. After the team’s session, head coach Sheldon Keefe provided the following update.
“He is getting evaluated today,” he said on Monday. “We will have to see exactly where he is at. He is questionable at this point to backup (Tuesday), but Markstrom will play tomorrow regardless.”
Allen played Sunday night against the Colorado Avalanche. He made 20 saves on 24 shots and finished the game with a .870 save percentage.
The most obvious choice for a call-up from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets, would be Nico Daws, as the 23-year-old has more NHL experience than his tandem partner, Isaac Poulter.
There is one problem: Daws has not suited up for a game since Nov. 30 against the Providence Bruins.
The Munich native is dealing with an undisclosed injury but is not expected to miss much time. According to Ben Birnell of the Daily Sentinel, the goaltender’s injury is minor and listed as day-to-day (from ‘Stability a focus for Utica Comets with recent success’ Daily Sentinel, 12/5/24).
Poulter has started the Comets’ last two games against the Rochester Americans and Providence Bruins. Tyler Brennan was called up from the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL and has served as Poulter’s backup over the last two games.
Ahead of hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, the Devils held an optional morning skate. Prior to the players hitting the ice, the team announced that Poulter was recalled from Utica.
He was one of eight players at the morning skate. He joined Nathan Bastian, Jesper Bratt, Nick DeSimone, Erik Haula, Nathan Légaré, Kurtis MacDermid, and Timo Meier.
Expect Poulter to backup Jacob Markstrom against the Maple Leafs.
Devils’ head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters that what Allen is dealing with should not be long-term.
“Just get him a little more treatment and see how it goes from there,” he said. “Take it a day at a time.”
The Devils are in the midst of a tough stretch. They are scheduled to play every other day, with games coming up on Thursday and Saturday. It is worth noting that the Comets’ next game is on Saturday, Dec. 14.
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