New Jersey Devils’ captain Nico Hischier will make his long-awaited return to the lineup tonight against the Dallas Stars. He has been on the Devils’ injured reserve (IR) since Jan. 25, after suffering a cross-check to the ribs, courtesy of Montreal Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki.
Earlier this week, Hischier spoke with the media and explained his oblique injury, which kept him out of the Devils’ last six games before the break. Following Friday’s practice, head coach Sheldon Keefe remained optimistic about Hischier returning on Saturday night. He also shared that goaltender Jacob Markstrom is working toward returning to practice full-time.
Tell a friend to tell a friend – Jack and Nico are back tonight! pic.twitter.com/QfnXZpaYML
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 22, 2025
Hischier remains a crucial presence for the Devils, and his 200-foot game has been heavily missed. The team struggled in the faceoff circle without him, especially since he led the NHL in faceoff wins before his injury. Now, he is just 26 shy of surpassing the league’s current leader, Sidney Crosby.
But faceoffs are only a small part of Hischier’s role. His defensive awareness, puck possession, speed, and tenacity make him an ideal leader. Even though he has earned a reputation for being one of the best defensive forwards in the league, his offensive impact cannot be understated. In fact, according to NHL Edge, he ranks in the 97th percentile in high-danger goals. He is currently tied with Jack Hughes in total goals, and they lead the Devils with 24 each.
The Devils are fighting to maintain their current playoff spot, and the return of their captain should be the morale boost the team previously lacked. Hischier is considered the heart and soul of New Jersey’s franchise, and there’s no doubt he will lead the Devils’ playoff surge.
