Devils Vs Stars: Projected Lineups as Stars Host the Devils

The devils vs stars matchup arrives with set projected lineups and several absences shaping roster decisions. The Devils will dress the same forward group they used in a 2-1 loss at the Washington Capitals on Friday, while the Stars present their listed combinations with multiple players scratched and several key forwards listed as injured.

What Happens When Devils Vs Stars line combinations meet?

Below are the projected forward lines and noted scratches for both clubs as listed in the latest projection.

• Devils forward lines: Timo Meier — Nico Hischier — Dawson Mercer; Jesper Bratt — Jack Hughes — Connor Brown; Arseny Gritsyuk — Cody Glass — Lenni Hameenaho; Paul Cotter — Nick Bjugstad — Maxim Tsyplakov. Scratched: Dennis Cholowski, Evgenii Dadonov. Injured: Stefan Noesen (knee), Zack MacEwen (ACL), Brett Pesce (lower body).
• Stars forward lines: Jason Robertson — Wyatt Johnston — Mavrik Bourque; Michael Bunting — Matt Duchene — Jamie Benn; Sam Steel — Justin Hryckowian — Colin Blackwell. Scratched: Nathan Bastian, Kyle Capobianco, Ilya Lyubushkin, Alexander Petrovic. Injured: Radek Faksa (lower body), Roope Hintz (lower body), Mikko Rantanen (lower body), Tyler Seguin (ACL).

What If injuries persist for either club?

Injury statuses and recent practice information are central to how both teams will get through this matchup. The Devils will dress the same lineup they used in a 2-1 loss at the Washington Capitals on Friday, indicating lineup continuity despite their listed injured players. For the Stars, Mikko Rantanen participated in the Stars morning skate, but the forward is expected to miss his 14th straight game after being injured playing for Team Finland at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Roope Hintz will miss his ninth straight game. Those absences, plus the four scratched defensemen listed for the Stars, define the available combinations the coaching staff can deploy.

The shared elements from the projection: both teams have defined top-six pieces on the ice, and both carry mid- and lower-line combinations that will be relied on. The Devils’ decision to dress the same group used in the prior road game signals a consistent approach to match deployment. The Stars’ morning skate participation by an injured forward paired with the expectation that he will not play highlights a recovery timeline that remains in the background for roster planning.

What Happens When line continuity and absences shape the game plan?

Line continuity, scratches and injuries frame this non-conference host meeting. Coaching staffs for both sides will work within the available groupings: the Devils’ four named forward trios and the Stars’ three listed forward trios and scratches. Special teams deployments and defensive rotations are likely to reflect the names available on the active lists. Observers should expect the active projected lines to be the basis for initial matchups and in-game adjustments.

Key facts drawn directly from the projected lists: the Devils’ top line features Timo Meier, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer; the Stars’ top line features Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston and Mavrik Bourque. Each club also carries named scratches and several injured players on the roster projection. Those items together establish the personnel picture heading into the meeting between these teams.

Final roster decisions and any late changes will determine match flow, but the current projection gives a clear baseline for how the devils vs stars matchup will be contested.