The New Jersey Devils announced today that forward Jesper Bratt is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
#NJDevils Jesper Bratt is officially listed as ‘day-to-day’
He worked out off the ice today.
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) November 4, 2019
Jesper Bratt Injured
As the Devils continue their road trip into Western Canada, they will do so without Bratt. During the Devils 4-3 win Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, Bratt left the game after being injured in the second period. The injury occurred after Bratt took taking what looked to be a high elbow by Andrei Svechnikov. He only played seven minutes and 33 seconds before departing. There was a possibility for a return to the game, however, when Bratt did not show up to start the third period, the team ruled him out for the rest of the game.
Through 11 games this season, Bratt has five points (three goals and two assists) and was getting opportunities as a top-six forward. Bratt returned to the lineup against the Tampa Bay Lightning after a healthy scratch against the Arizona Coyotes. Against the Lightning, he recorded two goals in a wild affair in which there were multiple lead changes.
Looking Ahead
With the Devils holding practice today in Newark before hitting the road, Nikita Gusev was in for Bratt. Gusev will play alongside Jack Hughes and Pavel Zacha on the second line. As Nico Hischier returned to the top line centering Kyle Palmieri and Taylor Hall. Over the past three games, Gusev has been a healthy scratch. He has been working with Patrik Elias to improve his defensive awareness. With Gusev being a playmaker, he fits with Hischier and Zacha better. This line has been able to produce since being put together against the Lightning.
Another possibility for the Devils is moving Jesper Boqvist into the spot. However, since returning to the lineup, he has been a good fit with Travis Zajac and Blake Coleman. For now, the plan is for Gusev to play on the second line, but things could always change once the puck drops.
Even though Bratt was able to work out off the ice, the team felt he could not make the trip to Winnipeg. The Devils hope Bratt can return towards the tail end of the four-game road trip as the team takes on the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks.
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