The New Jersey Devils hit the road Sunday for the first time this season, and it may be that some changes are coming to the lineup.
The Devils have stops in Buffalo and Toronto on their first road trip and the hope is to ice a healthy lineup. Kyle Palmieri and Drew Stafford were both injured in Saturday afternoon's win over the Colorado Avalanche. Both could be out against the Sabres with lower body injuries. They did not participate in Sunday's practice nor did they skate on their own, but will make the trip. Coach John Hynes said they will be evaluated Monday morning before he makes a decision on their availability.
At practice, several players saw themselves bumped up the lineup with Palmieri and Stafford missing. Jesper Bratt, who scored his first goal and recorded his first NHL assist against the Avalanche, practiced on the first line with Taylor Hall and Pavel Zacha. Stefan Noesen found himself skating on a line with Brian Gibbons and Adam Henrique.
#NJDevils - Looks like practice is about to start with no sign of Palmieri or Stafford. Will speak to coach after and get an update.
Whether or not the lines remain this way against Buffalo remains to be seen. Coach Hynes will wait and see on the status of Stafford and Palmieri before he makes a decision. Prior to practice, several players took extra time to skate. Scratches against Colorado Miles Wood, Dalton Prout and Ben Lovejoy all skated with Michael McLeod and Brian Boyle. Boyle and McLeod will not make the trip to Buffalo and Toronto, while the others will.
