Meier-Less Devils Tweak Lineup Ahead of Tilt vs. Blues

Ahead of their tilt against the St. Louis Blues, the New Jersey Devils are forced to tweak their lineup due to the suspension of Timo Meier.

RECENT: Devils Timo Meier Suspended by NHL Department of Player Safety, Full Explanation

The Devils’ star forward will watch from the press box as the Devils look to extend their win streak to four games on Wednesday night. As a result, head coach Sheldon Keefe needed to elevate a handful of players.

Keefe has emphasized the importance of chemistry, thus not much has changed in the top-nine. The fourth line stays exactly the same, whereas Paul Cotter moves up to the Nico Hischier line with Dawson Mercer.

Cotter makes some sense as a Meier-lite type player, and should fit in well—even if it’s just for one game.

The former Vegas Golden Knights forward has been a pleasant surprise for the Devils this season. Through 24 games, Cotter’s accrued seven goals and five assists. However, he’s gone cold of late, pointless in his last five games. Perhaps the promotion will be enough to revitalize the surprisingly skilled forward.

And although the points and flashes of skill are welcomed, the Devils acquired Cotter to be a gritty checking forward, and he’s delivered.

Cotter’s 72 hits rank ninth overall across the NHL. His promotion to the Hischier line leaves a void on the Erik Haula line. Nolan Foote draws in to fill said void amid his recall.

Foote made his season debut against the Washington Capitals on Saturday, skating in 9:44 of ice time across 13 shifts. He added one hit.

Wednesday’s Devils Workflow*

Forwards

Paul Cotter–Nico Hischier–Stefan Noesen

Ondrej Palat–Jack Hughes–Jesper Bratt

Nolan Foote–Erik Haula–Dawson Mercer

Shane Bowers–Justin Dowling–Tomas Tatar

Defensemen

Brenden Dillon–Dougie Hamilton

Jonas Siegenthaler–Johnathan Kovacevic

Luke Hughes–Brett Pesce

Goaltenders

Jacob Markstrom

Jake Allen

*Lineup subject to change