The Devils open a three-game homestand Thursday night against Buffalo at 7 p.m. EST.
You can watch the game on MSG+ or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.
Read the game preview below plus lineup updates, interviews, videos and more.

YOUR GAME-DAY ESSENTIALS

GAME DAY VIDEO
WATCH:
Devils Minute
WATCH: Player Interviews:
Okhotiuk
WATCH:
Head Coach Lindy Ruff
BY THE NUMBERS
Stats Comparison: Devils vs Sabres
Media Game Notes: Devils vs Sabres
Head to Head: Devils vs Sabres
Devils Player Statistics
Sabres Player Statistics
NHL Standings
RECENT VIDEOS
DEVILS NOW: Boqvist's Improvements
COMMUNITY: Ironbound Skate Kiosk
JERSEY SHOPS: Tia Planta
RECENT BLOGS & ARTICLES
THREE THINGS: Big Roadie
FEATURE: Jesper's Court
NOTEBOOK: Bratt, Picture and Bahl
TV & RADIO
You can watch the game on MSG+.
You can listen to the game on the Devils Hockey Network.

INSIDE THE DEVILS

The Devils practiced before the start of their homestand.
>> READ MORE IN THE INSIDE THE DEVILS BLOG

PRE-GAME STORY

NEWARK, NJ -The Devils held an optional morning skate Thursday morning ahead of hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Forward Jesper Bratt, who missed Wednesday's practice with a non-COVID related illness, was back on the ice and did take part.
Nine other players joined Bratt, including Jesper Boqvist, Fabian Zetterlund, Mason Geertsen, Kevin Bahl, Ty Smith, Nikita Okhotiuk, Colton White, Mackenzie Blackwood and Jon Gillies.
"He feels better today," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "Yesterday he just didn't feel well so we kept him off."
As for Blackwood, Ruff said the team is monitoring him day-by-day.
"The plan is still to get him in games," Ruff said. "He keeps progressing. He had a good road trip."
Nikita's Chance
The Devils recalled defenseman Nikita Okhotiuk from Utica of the American Hockey League. He will get a look at the NHL to see what he can do.
"This is a time of the year where you take a look at young players and he's been big part of their team down there. He's had a lot of success," Ruff said. "This will be his chance to see how he can make out in an NHL game."
Okhotiuk, 21, is excited about the chance to get into the lineup.
"I want to prove my game and the way I play. It's a good opportunity for me to show what I can do at this level."
Power Hour
The Devils will get their first look at the top-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft in defenseman Owen Power.
"I've seen him play a little bit. He's a good player obviously," Ruff said. "I think you look at (Rasmus) Dahlin and Power and are two players that could be cornerstones for a long period of time. Those guys are hard to find."

PREVIEW

DEVILS (27-42-7) vs. BUFFALO SABRES (29-38-11)
TV: 7:00 p.m. ET; Televised on MSG+
Head-to-Head
The Devils and Sabres meet for the third and final time this season. New Jersey has netted victories in both of the previous matchups: 2-1, Oct. 23; 4-3, Dec. 29.
Devils team scope:
New Jersey returns home following a successful season-long five-game road trip that saw the club go 3-1-1, including victories against playoff aspirationals Dallas and Vegas.
Captain Nico Hischier led the Devils during the road swing in assists (5) and points (6) while Jesper Boqvist had a team-high three goals.
Goaltender Andrew Hammond earned his first victory with New Jersey after stopping 42 of 44 shots by Vegas in a 3-2 win. The 42 saves were just one shy of tying a career high.
Sabres team scope:
The Buffalo Sabres finished the 2020-21 season with the worst record in the NHL by six points and gained only 15 victories. The team has been much more competitive this year, jumping to 24th. A nice improvement but still a work in progress.
Buffalo added to its talent pool a week ago when defenseman Owen Power, the No. 1-overall pick in last year's draft, signed with the club following the conclusion of his sophomore season with Michigan. He has appeared in four games, picking up one assist.
Forward Tage Thompson, the older brother of Devils' prospect Tyce, has been a breakout star, leading the team with 36 goals and 63 points in 74 games. Thompson had 18 goals total in 145 games prior to this season. Jeff Skinner has had a bounce back year, notching 31 goals after scoring just 21 in the previous two years combined.
By the Numbers:
Devils head coach Lindy Ruff is tied (Al Arbour) for fifth place in the NHL's all-time wins column for a head coach at 782. With is next victory, Ruff will move into sole possession of fifth place.
Forty-year-old goaltender Craig Anderson, who recently played in his 300th career NHL game, leads the team with a 16-12-2 record. A neck injury earlier in the season had him contemplating retirement, but he underwent rehab to hit the 300-game mark.
Injury Updates:
Devils
Blackwood (heel - IR)
Bernier (hip - IR)
Graves (chin)
Hughes (MCL sprain)
Vesey (left leg)
Siegenthaler (broken hand)
Wood (hip)
Sabres
Subban (upper-body)
Caggiula (back)
Oglevie (undisclosed)