While both teams would be looking to kickstart their campaign with a win, they are also grappling with a few injury concerns ahead of the NHL season opener.
The New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres prepare to face off in the NHL Global Series in Prague on Friday, October 4. Both teams had an underwhelming season. The Devils finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division, while the Sabres finished sixth in the Atlantic Division.
While both teams would be looking to kickstart their campaign with a win, they are also grappling with a few injury concerns ahead of the NHL season opener.
The Devils are dealing with multiple injuries on their blue line. Key defensemen Brett Pesce, Luke Hughes, and Santeri Hatakka are all sidelined due to injuries. Pesce is recovering from an off-season injury and has been left out for the two fixtures in Prague.
Sophomore defenseman Luke Hughes is also expected to be out for at least 7 weeks as he recovers from his offseason shoulder injury. Santeri Hatakka also will miss the fixture after he suffered an injury during a pre-season game against Montreal.
This has opened up an opportunity for young defenseman Seamus Casey to potentially make his NHL debut against the Sabres. Casey, who played for the University of Michigan last season, has shown great potential and could be a crucial addition to the Devils’ lineup in Prague.
Also Read: How to watch New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres on Friday Night Hockey in 2024 NHL Global Series
The Sabres are also facing their own set of challenges. Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson exited a recent game with an upper-body injury and did not return. Meanwhile, forwards Jordan Greenway and Zemgus Girgensons are also unavailable, with Girgensons placed on injured reserve. These absences could affect the Sabres’ depth as they open their season.
Despite both teams dealing with limited resources, the Sabres hold an advantage over the Devils, having arrived in Germany ten days ahead of the season opener and recently dominating Red Bull Munich with a 5-0 exhibition victory.
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