Devils' Brett Pesce: Supplies two helpers in rally
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Pesce recorded two assists, two blocked shots and a plus-4 rating in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.
Pesce got on the scoresheet in consecutive games for the first time this season. He helped out on tallies by Jack Hughes and Timo Meier. Pesce is up to a goal, three assists, 38 shots on net, 48 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating through 24 appearances. While he's often listed on the third pairing, he has played top-four minutes for much of the campaign as a key defensive presence in his first year with the Devils.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Pots first career shorthanded goal
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Pesce scored a shorthanded goal in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Kings.
The 30-year-old blueliner gave the Devils an insurance tally late in the third period when Jack Hughes' initial shot was blocked by Brandt Clarke, but Pesce then followed up and used the Kings defender as a screen. It was Pesce's first goal of the season and only his second point in 23 appearances, and his first career shortie in his 10th NHL campaign.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Gets first assist with new team
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Pesce notched an assist in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Capitals.
The helper was Pesce's first point as a Devil. He's quietly struggled on offense after missing the first two weeks of the season with a lower-leg injury. The 30-year-old blueliner is at one assist, 28 shots on net, 38 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating while averaging 21:15 of ice time through 18 contests. Pesce's usage is likely to remain defensive in nature since Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes handle most of the scoring from the blue line in New Jersey.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Slated to play
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Pesce (undisclosed) is expected to play against Carolina on Thursday.
Pesce, who made his first 627 career regular-season appearances with the Hurricanes, is set to face his former team for the first time. The Devils suffered a 4-2 loss to Carolina on Oct. 15, but Pesce missed that game due to a lower-leg injury. He has no points, 21 shots, four hits and 20 blocks over 12 appearances with New Jersey in 2024-25.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Deemed day-to-day
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Pesce is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports Tuesday.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe didn't seem too concerned about the availability of Pesce or Timo Meier (back), telling reporters, "The break has been very important. We'll take advantage of this time and see where they're at tomorrow." If Pesce were to miss any time, it would open up a spot on the blue line for Nick DeSimone, who has yet to get into an NHL game this season despite being called up twice in November.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Good to go Friday
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Pesce (lower leg) is expected to be in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Islanders.
Pesce was considered questionable heading into this game since he just returned from a long-term absence. However, it looks like he's good to play back-to-back days right away. Pesce should continue to see top-four usage in a mainly defensive role.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Considered game-time decision
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Pesce (lower leg) will be a game-time decision for Friday's matchup against the Islanders, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports.
Pesce made his season debut Thursday against Detroit after missing the first nine games of the year due to a lower leg injury. He recorded 17:33 of ice time against the Red Wings and had three shots on goal, a hit and a minus-1 rating. If he's available in the second half of the back-to-back, it wouldn't be surprising to see him remain in a top-four role.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Set to travel with team
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Head coach Sheldon Keefe said Wednesday that Pesce (lower leg) will travel with the Devils ahead of Thursday's road matchup in Detroit, Devils play-by-play announcer Matt Loughlin reports.
While it's not yet clear whether Pesce will suit up against the Red Wings, it's encouraging that he'll accompany the team on the road trip. Keefe said it's at least fair to say that Pesce will play over the weekend, so even if the defenseman remains out Thursday, he could return to action Friday against the Islanders or Sunday against the Ducks. Pesce and Luke Hughes (shoulder) also led the Devils during Wednesday's post-practice stretch, which should give increased optimism that Pesce could be available Thursday.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Nearing return
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Pesce (lower leg) is close to making his New Jersey debut, though he won't play Tuesday against Tampa Bay, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Pesce provided three goals, 13 points, 107 shots on net and 113 blocked shots in 70 regular-season appearances with Carolina in 2023-24. He agreed to a six-year, $33 million contract with New Jersey in the summer to occupy a spot in the team's top-four group this season.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Skating Tuesday
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Pesce is skating in a regular jersey at Tuesday's practice, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Pesce landed on injured reserve Monday, but he appears to be making solid progress after missing New Jersey's first two contests of the season. The 29-year-old fractured his fibula during Carolina's postseason run, but the right-shot defenseman was able to land a six-year deal with the Devils in free agency. Pesce notched 13 points in 70 regular-season contests with Carolina in 2023-24.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Headed to injured reserve
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Pesce (lower leg) was placed on injured reserve Monday, according to PuckPedia.
Pesce didn't travel with New Jersey for the club's first two games of the year in Prague, so this move doesn't necessarily come as a surprise. The right-shot defenseman has been working his way back to full strength after recovering from a fractured fibula. Pesce signed a six-year contract with the Devils in July, and he'll likely slot in on the second defense pair when healthy.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Not with team in Prague
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Pesce (lower leg) didn't travel with the Devils to Czechia on Sunday, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports, indicating he will miss the start of the 2024-25 season.
The Devils and Sabres will open the 2024-25 campaign with games Friday and Saturday in Prague as part of the NHL Global Series. Seamus Casey might get to make his NHL debut as a result of Pesce's absence. The 29-year-old Pesce has been listed as week-to-week since the beginning of training camp after suffering a fractured fibula in Game 2 of Carolina's first-round playoff series versus the Islanders in April. He skated as an extra in practice in New Jersey on Monday, per Catherine Bogart of the Devils' official site. Pesce will get more time to recover, but it's unclear if he will be ready to play in the team's home opener against Toronto on Oct. 10.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Resumes skating
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Pesce (lower leg) skated with the Devils on Friday, according to Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site, but he remains week-to-week, per Mike Morreale of NHL.com.
Pesce's availability for the Devils' season opener in Prague on Oct. 4 is uncertain. At the least, the 29-year-old has taken an encouraging step forward by getting on the ice. He had three goals, 13 points and 113 blocks in 70 regular-season games with Carolina in 2023-24.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Is week-to-week
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Pesce (lower leg) is considered week-to-week, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports Thursday.
Pesce missed Carolina's final nine playoff games due to a fractured fibula. He signed a six-year, $33 million contract with the Devils over the summer. When healthy, Pesce is likely to serve in a top-four capacity, though he probably won't receive much, if any, power-play ice time.
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Devils' Brett Pesce: Signs six-year contract
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Pesce (lower leg) inked a six-year, $33 million contract with New Jersey on Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Pesce missed the Hurricanes' final nine postseason contests after suffering a fractured fibula in Game 2 of their first-round series with the Islanders. This past season was a low point offensively for the 29-year-old defenseman, as he posted a career-low 13 points in 70 regular-season contests, a far cry from the 30 he put up the year before. Clearly, the Devils are hoping to rediscover the 2022-23 version of Pesce, though he may be hard-pressed to secure power-play minutes with his new club, assuming Dougie Hamilton (pectoral) is healthy to start the new campaign.
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Hurricanes' Brett Pesce: Officially ruled out Thursday
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Pesce (lower body) will not be in the lineup against the Rangers in Game 6 on Thursday, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.
Pesce got onto the ice for the first time Wednesday, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to see him still being held out for Game 6. Still, the 29-year-old blueliner is making progress and might be in contention to play should the series go to Game 7 on Saturday. Considering Pesce has managed a mere two points in his last 19 outings, his potential return is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy players.
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Hurricanes' Brett Pesce: Not traveling to New York
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Pesce (lower body) won't travel with the Hurricanes ahead of Game 1 against the Rangers on Sunday, ruling him out for the first two games of the series, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Pesce missed the final three games of Carolina's opening-round series after suffering a lower-body injury in Game 2 against the Islanders. The 29-year-old blueliner has one assist in two playoff games after tallying three goals and 13 points in 70 regular-season contests. Tony DeAngelo will likely remain on the Hurricanes' second pairing until Pesce can return.
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Hurricanes' Brett Pesce: Might play in second round
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Pesce (lower body) is no longer using a walking boot and might be able to return during Carolina's upcoming second-round series against the Rangers, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports Wednesday.
Pesce had three goals, 13 points, 20 PIM, 25 hits and 113 blocks in 70 regular-season outings. The 29-year-old is likely to serve in a top-four capacity once he's healthy.
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Hurricanes' Brett Pesce: Likely to miss rest of first round
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Pesce (lower body) isn't expected to return before the end of Carolina's first-round series against the Islanders, according to Chip Alexander and Luke DeCock of The New & Observer on Wednesday.
Pesce sustained the injury during Monday's 5-3 win over New York. He had three goals, 13 points, 107 shots, 25 hits and 113 blocks in 70 regular-season contests. Tony DeAngelo is projected to draw into the lineup for Game 3 on Thursday due to Pesce's absence.
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Hurricanes' Brett Pesce: Injured Monday
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Pesce (lower body) will not return to Monday's game against the Islanders.
Pesce logged one shot on goal, two PIM and two blocked shots in 8:47 of ice time before suffering an injury Monday. The veteran blueliner had an assist with a plus-2 rating in Game 1 on Saturday. The team should have an update on his status before Thursday's Game 3.
