The Devils seemingly can’t catch a break.
Losers of eight straight, (0-4-4), the Devils lost defenseman Anton Volchenkov yesterday to a four-game suspension, and probably won’t have star wing Ilya Kovalchuk available tonight against the Senators.
Volchenkov was suspended by the NHL for elbowing Bruins forward Brad Marchand in the head. The league announced the suspension yesterday, roughly 12 hours after the second-period hit left Marchand wobbly in the Bruins’ 5-4 win Wednesday night at the Prudential Center.
Brendan Shanahan, the NHL’s senior vice president of hockey operations and player safety, said Volchenkov extended his elbow on the play rather than making a full body check.
Kovalchuk said he won’t play until his injured right shoulder feels comfortable. After skating with nine other players yesterday, Kovalchuk was uncertain whether he would be able to play tonight.
The Devils’ chances of making the playoffs are dwindling with eight games remaining in the 48-game, lockout-shortened season. They are four points out of a postseason spot and their situation is even more tenuous because they have won only 15 games this season, posting 10 points from overtime losses and shootouts.
“I just don’t want to go in the lineup and take somebody’s place and just be out there because I want to be there,” Kovalchuk said. “I’m not that kind of guy. If I’ll come back, I’ll play my 100 percent and try my best.”
The losing streak is the longest for the Devils since 1985-86, and it coincides with Kovalchuk’s injury against Florida on March 23.
Volchenkov’s suspension could put the Devils down two defensemen.
Team captain Bryce Salvador was hit on the wrist by a shot by Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara. X-rays were negative, but coach Peter DeBoer said Salvador has a significant bruise and his status will be day to day.