Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils reveal re-shuffled lineups in late-season game

Having secured their playoff or offseason course, the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils approach Wednesday night's game with new lineups and several important absentees. The Devils head to the playoffs and potentially the return of star defenseman Dougie Hamilton, while the Red Wings continue to limp through a season's worth of injuries as they finish up the regular season. The faceoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET and will appear on several networks such as truTV and TNT.


The out-of-playoff-hope Detroit Red Wings are using the final quarter of the season to give younger players large amounts of ice time. Jonatan Berggren has risen to the first line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, and Patrick Kane will ride the second line with emerging rookie Marco Kasper and sniper Alex DeBrincat.
Veteran Vladimir Tarasenko is added to the third line along with J.T. Compher and Michael Rasmussen and adds experience and depth. Physicality and energy are added through the fourth line, comprised of Austin Watson, Tyler Motte, and Craig Smith. There is also youth and experience along Detroit's blue line in the pairing of Ben Chiarot and Moritz Seider as well as in the pairing of Simon Edvinsson and Jeff Petry.
Goaltending will fall to Cam Talbot or Alex Lyon, with William Lagesson scratched and key names like Andrew Copp and Petr Mrazek due to injury.
On the second bench, the New Jersey Devils seek to polish their game before the playoffs. Nico Hischier is the first-line centre with Stefan Noesen and Jesper Bratt, and Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier are with veteran Erik Haula on the second line. Tomas Tatar, Justin Dowling, and Cody Glass are depth lines, and the fourth line includes Nolan Foote, Marc McLaughlin, and Nathan Bastian.
The best news for New Jersey is the possible return of defenseman Dougie Hamilton from an 18-game absence with a lower-body ailment. His presence alongside Brenden Dillon on the third blue line would be a welcome addition as the Devils play their first-round playoff contest against the Carolina Hurricanes.
In net, Jacob Markstrom is the probable starter, with Jake Allen as his backup. Dennis Cholowski and a few others are healthy scratches, while Ondrej Palat is officially out after getting hit in the leg during Tuesday's overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.

Forward Paul Cotter will miss the second of a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head on New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech. The Devils will have to make up for his loss as they try to stay disciplined going into the playoffs.
Also read: “Playing our best”: Marco Kasper's heroics keep Red Wings in playoff hunt
As the Red Wings are in development mode while the Devils attempt to hone their shape, the game at the Prudential Centre on Wednesday night presents opportunities for opposing aims. For the future of the Detroiters. For playoff preparations for the Devils.