The Devils will have to manage without two defencemen tonight against the 
Washington Capitals: Brett Pesce is ill and Johnathan Kovacevic has a lower-body injury.
Kovacevic out longer than expected
Kovacevic left Tuesday's game in Winnipeg late in the second period. He is having imaging done on Thursday, and coach Sheldon Keefe was clear: this is not a day-to-day thing, but the extent of the injury is still unknown. Keep an eye out for news in the coming days.
Kolyachonok recalled and in the lineup
Vladislav Kolyachonok is recalled from Utica and will play tonight, giving the Devils six defencemen after dressing seven in each of the past two games. He will skate next to Brenden Dillon. Stefan Noesen and Lenni Hameenaho are also recalled, and Hameenaho will make his season debut.
What it means for your pool
Pesce is a reliable defenceman in defensive categories, so watch for his return in the coming days. Kovacevic is the bigger worry: with no timetable for his return, it is best to take him out of your lineup until there is news. Connor Hellebuyck will be in goal tonight, and he is also confirmed for Saturday's game in Washington.
Sources
The facts in this article come from the 
New Jersey Devils on X, NHL.com, Pro Hockey Rumors and New Jersey Hockey Now.