NEWARK, NJ -Devils captain Nico Hischier will return to the lineup Tuesday night when New Jersey hosts the NY Rangers in Game 1 of Hudson River Rivalry Week.
Also, new defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler will be playing in his first game as a Devil.
THE CAPTAIN IS BACK
Hischier will be playing his first game since suffering a frontal sinus fracture Feb. 27 against Washington when an errant shot struck his face shield.
"It feels good to be out there and finally be able to play," he said.
Hischier, 22, underwent surgery to repair the damage March 15. He started skating on his own two weeks later and began practicing with his teammates last Wednesday.
Hischier, who has been limited to five games played this season due to a broken leg and the sinus fracture, worked mostly on battle drills during the week of practice. Those entail physical engagement for loose pucks along the boards or fighting for positioning for open ice.
"It was hard (to wait a week), but at the end of the day it will help me for tonight, these extra days," Hischier said. "To get back into battle shape. (In a game) you battle all the time. Skating by yourself you don't really have these battles. You have more skilled practices. Those are good, too, but at the end of the day when you're playing a game it's battle after battle. These extra practices with the team and having those battles brings me back into battle shape."
THE NEW GUY
Hischier won't be the only Swiss addition to the lineup. Siegenthaler will be playing his first game as a Devil after the team acquired him from the Capitals Sunday afternoon.
He missed Monday's practice with the team due to travel, but did take part in this morning's optional skate. Despite the limited team work, the club is ready to put him into a game.
"We've gone through with how we would need to play and he's comfortable," Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. "So we're ready to play him."
Siegenthaler was with the Capitals in Boston when the trade went down. He flew back with the team that night. He packed some belongings and drove three-and-a-half hours from D.C. to New Jersey Monday. He met with the coaching staff to go over structure and systems.
"It was a quick turnaround. I had a busy day (Monday)," he said. "I'm happy to be here. I settled in pretty quick. I feel pretty confident with the boys here. I'm happy to get started tonight."
Siegenthaler had been buried on the Capitals roster and has only appeared in seven games this season, his last being March 11. But he feels ready to jump back into action.
"I haven't played a lot this season," he admitted. "I try to stay ready with practices, go hard in practice, use practice like it's a game. We did a lot of battle drills in D.C. I'm ready. Anything can happen in a game. I'm pretty confident mentally that I'm ready for tonight."
ZACHA INJURY
There was no update on the health of Devils forward Pavel Zacha, who was injured in Sunday night's game against Pittsburgh.
Zacha, who will not play for the Devils tonight, is still being evaluated by team doctors.
"He's had some imaging done," Ruff said. "He'll meet with the doctors tonight and we'll get a guideline with how long he'll be out or how soon he'll get back in, one of the two."
HUDSON RIVER RIVALRY WEEK
The Devils begin a four-game set against their cross-river rivals, the NY Rangers. The Rangers are four points out of a playoff position, but the Devils are eager to play the role of spoiler.
"Those rivalry games are always intense," Hischier said. "It'll probably be pretty intense out there. I guess a couple hits would be out there as well. I would say it will be a fun game all around."
