Despite finally getting a win, things are not all sunshine and roses for the New Jersey Devils. Their first victory of the season came with a cost. The team announced that defenceman Will Butcher will not play tomorrow against the Vancouver Canucks with an undisclosed injury. The team will know more tomorrow.
Will Butcher will not play for #NJDevils tomorrow against Vancouver.
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) October 18, 2019
Will Butcher Injured
During the Devils 5-2 win over the New York Rangers on Thursday night, the Devils defenceman did not finish the game after blocking a shot. Butcher is not off to the best of starts. Granted the entire team is not playing well. Through five games, he has only one point, which was a goal in a loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday afternoon. He is also a -1 playing with multiple defensive partners to start the season.
Last season, Butcher’s normal partner on defence was Damon Severson. Analytically speaking these two youngsters play well together. That pairing has yet to see the ice together this season as the Devils try to figure out who can play with P.K. Subban. Over the past two games, Butcher has been paired with Sami Vatanen. With Subban in the fold, Butcher is now on the second power-play unit.
Going Forward
Things could be getting better for the Devils. Nico Hischier and Andy Greene were practicing with the team on Friday. Greene remains on injured reserve with a broken finger retroactive to October 9th. Hischier left the game against the Panthers with an upper-body injury and remains day-to-day with a bruised rib. However, it appears both players could return to the lineup as soon as Saturday when the team takes on the Canucks. In order for that to happen, both will need to be cleared by doctors.
If Butcher is out for a couple of games, you could see Greene return if he is healthy enough to play. Matt Tennyson will probably remain with the team to give them an option if Butcher had to miss significant time. Also, Connor Carrick, who did not play against the Rangers, could draw back into the lineup.
Main Photo: NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 25: Will Butcher #8 of the New Jersey Devils in action against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center on March 25, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Sabres 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
