Devils forward Patrik Elias missed the target of tonight’s game against the Caps for his season debut, but he’s expected to play either Thursday against the Islanders in Newark, or more likely, in Ottawa on Saturday.

The Devils’ all-time leading scorer has only been practicing with the team since Monday, and can still use time to regain his conditioning. He underwent hip surgery in June and groin surgery in September.

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Devils recalled RW Matt Halischuk from Lowell after sending him there Monday. Halischuk did not play a game during his visit.