Standing strong in the face of adversary.

Devils standing strong in the face of adversity, facing multiple injuries to key players all season long.

“I am proud of how our team has handled themselves over the course of the season. We have had very few games at full strength so far and the team has really come together to fill any void left behind by injury.” – GM Muchowski.

Key Injuries facing the Devils so far this year have been to their Franchise tagged player Michael Cammalleri (6 games) and young top 6 forward Alex Killorn (10 games).

“It is never easy to fill a spot on an NHL team when a guy goes down to injury. We audition all offseason and throughout the training camp so when you lose a guy from your team it is hard to replace them, Obviously they have proven to be the best fit for that position. That is never more true than when you lose, not one, but two of your top six forwards. That being said, we stayed strong and pulled together and got the job done. We are one point out of first in our division and have not had our best team on the ice for a combined 16 games” – Head Coach Mike Johnston

Devils Fans and Management alike were excited and ready to see what they could do with a full roster when just as full strength was within their grasp it was yet again yanked away.

Yet again, another member of the Devils top 6 forwards have gone down to injury. Ales Hemsky, who prior to this had been spending all his time on the top line playing on the wing with Captain Ryan Getzlaf, is now out with a lower back injury.

Up 4-1 at this point vs the Islanders, Hemsky fired a shot on goal that was deflected into the corner. Without missing a beat he was the first man to the puck ready to fire it back towards the net to a waiting Getzlaf when he was leveled with a huge hit from Matt Irwin, crushing him against the boards and down to the ice. He was helped off the ice and did not return.

“We are hoping he has a quick recovery and will be back in the lineup sooner than later. He will need a few weeks but should be good to go after that” – Devils Medical staff

Just as they were about to be full strength for the first time in 16 games, the Devils take another key injury and will have to find a way to continue to work together and stay competitive without the full top 6 they selected out of training camp.

However, if you want to look for the silver lining in this scenario. Cammalleri and Killorn are both set to return to the line up tonight vs Penguins.

-          The New Jersey Times