The New Jersey Devils are facing some injury concerns as they prepare to take on the New York Islanders in their upcoming matchup. In particular, forward Erik Haula and Tomas Nosek will not be available to suit up for the game tonight.

Haula is dealing with an upper-body injury, while the details regarding Nosek's absence remain unknown. Although Haula may not be considered one of the team's most pivotal players, his absence will still be felt as he contributes meaningfully to the Devils' lineup. Without Haula, Michael McLeod is expected to assume the role of the third line center, which could pose challenges if he is tasked with carrying the third line over an extended period of time.

New Jersey fans eagerly await head coach Lindy Ruff's decision on how he will deploy the team for tonight's game. The lines from the previous day's practice session might provide some insights, but Ruff's unpredictable decisions have fans anxiously speculating about the potential line combinations. From Nico Hischier centering Arlette to even unexpected combinations including the Mrs. Fields Cookie Racer, anything could happen.

In Monday's game, goaltender Vitek Vanecek allowed four goals, but the performance cannot be solely attributed to his skills. Ruff acknowledged in his postgame press conference that the defensive zone coverage was abysmal, leaving Vanecek vulnerable to constant pressure. Ruff even admitted the difficulty in assessing whether Vanecek had a poor performance or not given the team's collective struggles.

However, goaltending had been a bright spot for the Devils during the season-opening back-to-back games against the Detroit Red Wings and Arizona Coyotes. Vanecek displayed a solid effort on opening night, and Akira Schmid played a significant role in securing a point in the game against the Coyotes.

With these two netminders, the Devils have the potential for an impressive goaltending tandem. However, both Vanecek and Schmid have their ups and downs, making it vital for the team to secure wins without relying solely on their spectacular displays.

Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Dougie Hamilton continue to spearhead the Devils' offensive efforts. On Monday, Hughes and Hamilton recorded assists, while Bratt scored his third goal of the season and added an assist. This trio has been the driving force behind the team's early success, ranking among the team's top scorers with six points for Hughes, five points for Bratt, and four points for Hamilton. Not only are they contributing offensively, but their performance in advanced statistics further highlights their overall impact on the game.

The Devils are currently enduring a challenging phase, and it is these three players who have kept the team afloat. Although it may be unrealistic to rely on them for outstanding performances every game, their consistent contributions have been crucial in maintaining stability during this rough patch.

Meanwhile, the New York Islanders have begun their season on a positive note, securing wins in both their matchups against the Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes. Only Brock Nelson and former Devil Kyle Palmieri have managed to tally multiple points so far, with each player recording two points.

In goal, Ilya Sorokin has been exceptional, carrying his form from last season with a remarkable 1.00 Goals Against Average and an impressive .952 Save Percentage. Sorokin has previously faced the Devils twice, suffering a 4-1 loss in October, where he made 39 saves on 42 shots, and emerging victorious with a 5-1 win in March, stopping 30 of 31 shots. It is highly likely that Sorokin will be between the pipes for tonight's game, but if not, Semyon Varlamov, a highly competent backup, will take charge.

After two preseason encounters, which resulted in a win for the Devils on both occasions, the Islanders are set to face a full-strength Devils lineup. With this in mind, the Islanders have been diligently preparing for the matchup, showcasing their full lineup during their practice session.

As both teams gear up for an exciting showdown, injuries and goaltending performances will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game. The Devils will be relying on their top forwards to drive the offense, while the Islanders will look to Sorokin or Varlamov to provide a solid presence in goal. Hockey fans can anticipate an intense battle as these two Metropolitan Division rivals clash on the ice.