Nico Hischier, top scorer for the Devils, out week by week
The New Jersey Devils' captain, Nico Hischier, is currently week-to-week due to an upper-body injury, as announced by head coach Sheldon Keefe on Wednesday.
During the second period of the Devils' 4-3 overtime victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night, Hischier sustained the injury after receiving a high cross check from Canadiens' captain Nick Suzuki. Although he returned to the ice for one shift in the third period, he ultimately had to retreat to the locker room.
As a result of his injury, Hischier was unable to play in the Devils' 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. The two teams will face off again on Wednesday, this time in Newark, New Jersey.
According to Keefe, Hischier's condition will be re-evaluated next week and his availability will be determined from there. However, he will not be able to play this week.
In the 51 games he has played this season, the 26-year-old forward leads the Devils in goals (24) and has also recorded 19 assists. He ranks second among forwards with an average ice time of 20:21.
Since being selected as the first overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Devils, Hischier has accumulated 396 points (160 goals, 236 assists) in 503 career games.
