Devils' Hamilton expected to return Thursday after 17-game absence

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins after missing the last 17 games with a broken jaw.

"I'm looking forward to him being back in the lineup," Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. "I'm counting on him being in. I've had a conversation with him, he said he's ready to go and we're ready to put him back in."

Hamilton is expected to wear a full face shield in his return.

"At the start I couldn't have any pressure on it so I had to find something that had the pressure off it, but I couldn't play with that mask. I think it's at the point now where my jaw is solid and I'm able to put a pad on my chin and use that mask," Hamilton said.

The 28-year-old has recorded seven goals and 13 assists in 30 games this season. It's his first campaign with the Devils after signing a seven-year, $63-million contract as a free agent in the offseason.

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