The New Jersey Devils returned to their winning ways, honoring former coach Jacques Lemaire and inducting him into their Ring of Honor. However, the Devils did not have all good news in their 5-1 victory, as they lost goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
Jacob Markstrom Named Third Star for December by NHL
Head coach Sheldon Keefe announced following the game on Wednesday that Markstrom will miss some time, and the team will have a better idea of his status soon.
Justin Brazeau crashes into Jacob Markstrom who has left the game and needed assistance getting off the ice ? pic.twitter.com/iAxrZajvOR
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 23, 2025
Markstrom did not make it out of the 2nd period of Wednesday night’s game against the Bruins. In the first period, Bruins player Justin Brazeau crashed into Markstrom, sending one of the goaltenders for Team Sweden at the Four Nations Faceoff awkwardly into the goal post.
Markstrom was in discomfort when his left leg went into the goalpost. He was down on the ice in pain. According to reports, Markstrom needed help getting back to the ice. He needed to use the top of the net to lift himself off the ice. Though Markstrom skated off on his own, he still needed some help getting off the ice.
Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman tapped him as he went off the ice. In addition, Markstrom’s former Calgary Flames teammates and current Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov checked on him on the way off the ice.
Jacob Markstrom Continues To Raise His Level of Play for the Devils
Jake Allen replaced Markstrom between the pipes. Allen held the fort as Markstrom did not return to the game. New Jersey scored five straight goals, including two from Dawson Mercer and three from Nico Hischier, as the Devils rolled.
We know how important goaltending has been to the Devils. Goaltending was the reason the Devils missed the playoffs last season. Markstrom has been everything and more since acquiring him from Calgary in the summer. Seeing their goaltender go down is usually a huge blow to a team. However, Markstrom’s teammates stepped up and played the game to get the win.
“Tremendous job by our whole group continuing to play,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said of the injury post-game. “Marky has been so important for our team. It could have been a real drain on the energy of the group. Guys didn’t let it be. That was really great to see.”
NHL Rumors: Devils Looking to Add Multiple Forwards
New Jersey will need to replace its number one goalie, who has a record of 21-9-5 in 36 games, a 2.20 GAA, and a .912 save percentage. There is a reason why Jacob Markstrom was named the third star of December.
Right now, it is unknown how long Markstrom will be out, but the initial diagnosis is not good.
