Devils Erik Haula Likely to Return vs. Bruins

New Jersey Devils Erik Haula missed Sunday’s contest with an upper-body injury. However, it looks like he’ll be good to go tonight against the Boston Bruins.

Following Tuesday’s morning skate, Haula disclosed he’s been dealing with something on and off, however, didn’t get into specifics.

“It’s been an interesting year in a lot of ways,” Haula said yesterday post-practice. “I never want to miss time. I try to do everything I can to get back out as soon as I can when I miss games. Hopefully, things start going away a little bit.”

Head coach Lindy Ruff followed up by saying Haula will be re-evaluated on Wednesday ahead of puck drop. This morning, Haula was a full participant again at morning skate.

The evaluation went well.

“It looks like (Erik Haula is good to go),” Ruff explained. “It’s good to have him back.”

Haula likely returns to the lineup against his former club in Newark tonight. The Traveling Haulas will be elated.

Wednesday Morning’s Workflow, Likely Lineup vs. Bruins

Forwards

Tyler Toffoli – Jack Hughes – Timo Meier

Ondrej Palat – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt

Erik Haula– Dawson Mercer – Alexander Holtz

Curtis Lazar – Michael McLeod – Nathan Bastian

Defensemen

Jonas Siegenthaler – Simon Nemec

Kevin Bahl – John Marino

Luke Hughes – Colin Miller

Goaltenders

Vitek Vanecek

Akira Schmid

So it looks like Vanecek gets the start tonight against the Bruins. He’ll look to build off his previous performance which was potentially his best of the season.

On the Bruins’ end, Pavel Zacha has been ruled out of tonight’s contest with an upper-body injury. Jesper Boqvist is on recall and has a chance to draw into the lineup against his former team.