Hughes returns for Devils; Cassidy in COVID protocol

Jack Hughes will return to the Devils lineup on Tuesday after missing the last 17 games with a dislocated shoulder.

Hughes was injured following a hit by Kraken defenseman Jeremy Lauzon. After landing awkwardly, he skated to the dressing room favoring his left shoulder. After being re-evaluated a week later, the Devils announced the 20-year-old would miss another five weeks of action.

“It’s extremely exciting. It’s been a long time,” Hughes said. “I’m excited to get back out there. Starting at home and playing in front of our fans, it’ll be a lot of fun. I had this date circled. I prob got in sooner than most thought.”

Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said it’s possible Hughes opens Tuesday game against the Sharks on the wing.

Hughes has appeared in just two games for the Devils this season, scoring two goals and adding an assist.

“I started hot,” Hughes said. “And now I have 65 games to get hot again.”

Bruins to be without Cassidy vs. Red Wings

Bruce Cassidy was not on the ice for Boston’s morning skate on Tuesday. The Bruins’ head coach was placed into COVID-19 protocol and will be unavailable for their game against the Red Wings.

General manager Don Sweeney said that Cassidy is experiencing mild symptoms and that assistant coach Joe Sacco will run the bench in his absence.

The Bruins will also be without forward Brad Marchand after he was suspended three games by the NHL for slew-footing Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Senators are COVID clear

Drake Batherson rejoined his Senators teammates on Tuesday after exiting COVID-19 protocol. The forward was the last of 10 players in protocol after the team experienced an outbreak earlier this month. The COVID issues that affected the team led to three games being postponed by the NHL.

Included among the Senators who were affected was assistant coach Jack Capuano.

“I went through a stretch there that was real tough. But you know, the last four or five days, I feel really good,” Capuano told…