NEW YORK — The New Jersey Devils are fielding a short-handed lineup in their first game with a new committee of coaches behind the bench.
The Devils are without centre Patrik Elias and right wing Michael Ryder, who have been diagnosed with the mumps. Elias was placed on the injured list retroactive to Dec. 20 along with LW Martin Havlat, who is sidelined by another illness.
Havlat skated alone on Saturday morning. Elias is expected to skate in the next few days.
Ryder was scratched from Saturday night’s road game against the New York Rangers. Center Tim Sestito was recalled from Albany of the AHL and was in the lineup.
Goalie Scott Clemmensen, sent down to Albany on Dec. 9, also has the mumps. Including Travis Zajac and Adam Larsson, who have returned to action, five players in the Devils organization have been sidelined by the illness.
New Jersey, however, got back forwards Dainius Zubrus and Jacob Josefson. Zubrus had been out since Dec. 8 because of cuts on his left knee. Josefson was sidelined by a groin injury since Dec. 17.
