Top prospect Luke Hughes will make his NHL debut for the New Jersey Devils against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters.
The defenceman, picked fourth overall by the Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft, signed his entry-level contract last weekend after his University of Michigan Wolverines were knocked out of the NCAA Frozen Four.
"Big moment for the young man," Ruff said. "Excited to see him get his opportunity and I think he's going to be excited to be in the lineup."
Hughes had 10 goals and 38 assists for 48 points in 39 games for Michigan this season, his second with the Wolverines. He also has played for the U.S. at the World Junior Championship the past two years.
Hughes joins his brother, Jack, on the Devils.
New Jersey picked Jack Hughes, a star centre, first overall in 2019.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins will start Tristan Jarry in goal for the third game in a row when they face the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
The Penguins can clinch a playoff spot for the 17th consecutive year with wins over Chicago and Columbus on Thursday.
Jarry has allowed just one goal in each of the last two games, both wins.
Defenceman Dmitry Kulikov (lower-body injury) and forward Drew O'Connor (upper-body injury) are game-time decisions for the Penguins.
Colorado Avalanche
Defenceman Bowen Byram will return to the Avalanche lineup Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers after missing the past two games with an illness.
Byram has 10 goals and 13 assists in 29 games this season.
The Avalanche are trying to nail down first place in the Central Division.
Avs coach Jared Bednar also said forward Artturi Lehkonen (broken finger) is improving. He last played March 13.
Boston Bruins
Coach Jim Montgomery told reporters forward David Krejci (lower-body injury) won't play in the final two games of the regular season.
Krejci has been out since April 1. He has 16 goals and 40 assists in 70 games this season.
Montreal Canadiens
The injury-riddled Canadiens have recalled forward Joel Teasdale and defenceman Frederic Allard (emergency recall) from AHL Laval.
Teasdale has not played an NHL game, while Allard has played two.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators have recalled defenceman Maxence Guenette from AHL Belleville and re-assigned fellow blue-liner Jacob Bernard-Docker to their top minor-league affiliate.
Guenette has not played an NHL game. He has four goals and 34 assists in 69 games with Belleville this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets have added five players from AHL Cleveland — forwards Trey Fix-Wolansky, Carson Meyer, Josh Dunne, and defencemen David Jiricek, Jake Christiansen — on emergency recall.
The Blue Jackets are second-last in the league, just ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks. The last-place team gets the top odds in the May 8 Draft Lottery, with Regina Pats star Connor Bedard as the big prize.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have recalled defenceman Adam Ginning from AHL Lehigh Valley.
The 23-year-old Ginning has not played in the NHL. He has three goals and 16 assists in 19 games with Lehigh Valley this season.
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