Fasching has been out of the lineup since before the All-Star break and was been reassigned to Bridgeport (AHL) for conditioning last week. The depth right-winger has struggled offensively with the Islanders this season, with three goals, eight points, 30 SOG and a -8 plus/minus in 35 games played.
Simon Nemec will likely be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Smith to draw back into the lineup. Smith did not play for the Devils last night but has been quietly productive from the blueline lately, scoring four points (2G / 2A) in his last six contests.
On the back end of a back-to-back, with Elvis Merzlikins battling an upper-body injury, the recently recalled Greaves will start between the pipes on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 22-year-old Greaves played well in two games for the Blue Jackets earlier this season but has spent the majority of his time with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL), posting a solid 2.88 GAA and .910 SV% in 37 contests (25-9-3).
Smith returned to action from a one-game absence, scoring a goal in 15:19 time-on-ice in the Devils' most recent game, a 7-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. He was a game-time decision for Friday's game in Anaheim but appears to be good to go.
Smith returned to action from a one-game absence, scoring a goal in 15:19 time-on-ice in the Devils' most recent game, a 7-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. His status for Friday's game against the Anaheim Ducks is up in the air.
Monahan joins Nikolaj Ehlers, Mason Appleton, and Gabriel Vilardi as game-time decisions ahead of the matchup on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. All four of them played in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars with Monahan being held off the scoresheet for only the second time in the last six games.
McCue was the fifth-round pick (156 overall) of the San Jose Sharks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old McCue has 50 points (24G / 26A) in 52 games with the London Knights of the OHL.
Johnson has struggled offensively this season, highlighted by a 12-game stretch with only one point (0G / 1A) while averaging over 13 minutes of ice time. He will be out of the lineup indefinitely with an upper-body injury.
Merzlikins was terrific against the New York Rangers on Sunday, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%) in a 4-2 victory, and will return to the crease in a rematch on Wednesday night. The Latvian netminder has a 3-2-0 record and a .920 SV% in his last five starts (3-2-0) while allowing three or fewer goals in all but one contest. That said, Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets are significant +211 road underdogs heading into action on Wednesday night.
