Devils host Oilers as Allen to start with Markstrom sidelined

The New Jersey Devils will host the Edmonton Oilers at Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern in a matchup that pits a red-hot Devils club against an Oilers team looking to rebound from a late loss. New Jersey enters off a 3-1 victory in its home opener on Thursday and will be without starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom because of a lower-body injury, while Edmonton comes in after a 4-2 defeat to the New York Islanders.

Jake Allen is expected to start for the Devils while Markstrom recovers. Allen allowed one goal in his most recent start and made 21 saves in the home opener, and the Devils have won three straight after an opening-night loss. Timo Meier and Nico Hischier scored in the third period Thursday to break a 1-1 tie and lift New Jersey, and Jesper Bratt has continued to supply playmaking, coming off a season in which he produced 88 points.

Edmonton is slated to counter with Stuart Skinner, who has been the primary starter early in the season. Connor McDavid leads the Oilers’ offense and has been central to Edmonton’s scoring opportunities, while Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have also contributed to the attack. The Oilers’ recent 4-2 loss...