The New Jersey Devils ended their four-game losing streak this weekend, earning a 6-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday after a major second-period comeback. Goals from Jack Hughes, Stefan Noesen, Paul Cotter, Nicolas Hischierand Erik Haula gave the Devils the lead, while Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves. Fans rejoiced in a victory at the Prudential Center, especially after the team’s early struggles to win at home.

Things are starting to look up for the Devils, who are in the middle of a three-game road trip. On Wednesday, they blanked the Vancouver Canucks 6-0 thanks to an impressive display of scoring chances and defensive maneuvers. However, the Devils will be missing a crucial part of their squad for the foreseeable future. Fourth line Curtis Lazar went down the tunnel Sunday evening following a hip check from Radko Gudas. The team announced that the veteran forward would be out indefinitely after undergoing knee surgery.

Fourth line reshuffle

The Devils currently have a surplus of talent on the blue line after the return of Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes, but now need to fill a central spot on the fourth line. After head coach Sheldon Keefe vaguely mentioned that Lazar would miss “a little time”, the team recalled Justin Dowling Utica Comets. Dowling played 100 games in the NHL and Keefe praised his confidence and playmaking abilities. In fact, Keefe mentioned how impressed he was playing against Dowling and the Texas Stars while he was head coach of the Toronto Marlies.

Due to Lazar’s absence, some line adjustments for Tuesday’s practice in Vancouver. It appears Dowling will center the fourth line alongside Thomas Tatar and Nathan Bastian. On Wednesday, Dowling had a solid effort against the Canucks, making several responsible plays behind the net. In the third period, he assisted on Tatar’s goal, extending the Devils’ lead to 6-0. Dowling looked sharp in his first game of the season, but Lazar’s specific blend of talent will be hard to replace. Specifically, he plays an important role on the penalty kill and in the physical aspects of the game.

Losing Lazar is expensive

Lazar’s absence for an extended period of time could hurt the Devils’ roster, mainly due to his versatility. Although he has only one goal and one assist this season, he has a reliable style that has made him a fan favorite. Lazar performs well along the boards and in the defensive zone. He can transition between a center and a wing while also contributing to shots on goal. Likewise, Lazar can create audacious scoring chances, both on the rebound and in very dangerous situations.

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Lazar doesn’t hesitate to drop the gloves either. He brings courage and strength to the Devils bench while defending his teammates. He previously fought Gudas in March following a hit on Hughes. Last season, Lazar pulled out all the stops, hitting 179 hits and blocking 66 shots. However, it seems like the rest of the team is stepping up while he’s gone. Haula got into a fight with Conor Garland at Rogers Arena, even going so far as to blow a kiss to Canucks fans while sitting in the penalty box.

Lazar’s veteran presence

Lazar also has extensive NHL experience. He played for the Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins and Canucks. The Devils acquired Lazar from the Canucks on March 3, 2023, in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft. Immediately after joining the team, he solidified his role as a versatile bottom-six forward. Even though the Devils had a frustrating 2023-24 season, Lazar managed to set a new career high. He scored 25 points in 71 games, finishing the season with a +10 differential.

The devils advance

Starting the season with an injury is far from ideal, especially since the team never seemed to be fully healthy last season. The Devils have work to do without Lazar in the lineup, and Dowling has big shoes to fill while the fourth-line veteran is on the mend. In the meantime, veterans like Haula, Noesen and Ondrej Palat must continue to contribute. Lazar is an important part of the franchise and his absence will be felt for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, the rest of the Devils roster needs to step up in terms of physicality, penalty killing and offensive awareness.