Zack MacEwen returns to Devils lineup for Islanders showdown in November 2025

Zack MacEwen is set to make his return to the Devils lineup in their November 10, 2025 showdown against the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center. The 29-year-old forward was activated from injured reserve earlier in the day, marking a welcome boost to New Jersey’s depth as they look to continue their impressive winning streak. MacEwen’s return comes after he suffered an upper-body injury in his Devils debut back on October 11 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, limiting him to just 7:12 of ice time in what should have been the start of his tenure in New Jersey.

The Devils organization has been eagerly awaiting MacEwen’s return, as even in his brief appearance against Tampa Bay, he demonstrated the physical presence and offensive capabilities that prompted general manager Tom Fitzgerald to acquire him from the Ottawa Senators. Head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed Monday morning that MacEwen would slot into the fourth line alongside Luke Glendening and Paul Cotter, giving the Devils an experienced and hard-nosed bottom-six option as they face their divisional rivals.

Zack MacEwen’s injury timeline and path back to the Devils lineup vs Islanders in November 2025

The injury that sidelined MacEwen occurred during what was supposed to be a routine debut game for the Devils. Acquired from Ottawa on October 4 in exchange for Kurtis MacDermid, MacEwen was brought in as a cost-effective depth forward with a physical edge. The trade itself was a salary cap maneuver, as MacDermid carried a $1.15 million cap hit with two years remaining on his contract, while MacEwen is set to become a pending free agent at season’s end.

In his seven minutes against Tampa Bay, MacEwen made his presence felt despite the abbreviated appearance. He recorded two shots on goal, one hit, one blocked shot, and one takeaway, showcasing the two-way capabilities that made him an attractive acquisition. Most impressively, he registered the hardest shot in the NHL at the time, clocking in at 99.20 MPH according to NHL Edge statistics. That blast initially led the league before eventually settling at fifth overall behind the likes of Ryan Pulock (101.83 MPH), Victor Hedman (101.42 MPH), Morgan Geekie (100.86 MPH), and Gustav Forsling (100.41 MPH).

MacEwen missed 13 consecutive games during his recovery from the upper-body injury, a frustrating setback for both the player and the organization. During his absence, the Devils experimented with various lineup combinations in their bottom six, utilizing players like Juho Lammikko and Brian Halonen. The team reassigned Halonen to the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets on Sunday to clear a roster spot for MacEwen’s activation.

The timing of MacEwen’s return coincides with a crucial stretch for the Devils, who have been riding a strong wave of form. His physicality and experience will provide Keefe with another option to deploy in different game situations, particularly against a physical Islanders team that prides itself on making life difficult for opponents.

What Zack MacEwen brings to the Devils lineup against the Islanders in November 2025

MacEwen’s skill set addresses several areas where the Devils have sought to add depth throughout the early portion of the season. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he provides a physical presence that can wear down opponents over the course of a game. His willingness to engage in the dirty areas of the ice and stand up for teammates has made him a valued teammate throughout his NHL career, which includes stints with the Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Ottawa Senators.

Beyond the physical element, MacEwen brings legitimate offensive capabilities that separate him from typical fourth-line enforcers. His 99.20 MPH shot against Tampa Bay wasn’t a fluke—he possesses a heavy, accurate release that can capitalize on opportunities from distance. This shooting ability allows him to contribute in ways that extend beyond hitting and fighting, making him a more versatile piece in Keefe’s lineup puzzle.

MacEwen’s defensive awareness was also on display during his brief appearance, as evidenced by his blocked shot and takeaway. The Devils have emphasized responsible play in their own zone under Keefe, and MacEwen’s willingness to sacrifice his body and make smart reads without the puck aligns with that philosophy. His plus skating ability, despite his size, allows him to keep pace with the modern NHL’s speed demands.

The fourth-line deployment alongside Glendening and Cotter creates an intriguing combination. Glendening, who signed with New Jersey after a professional tryout, has been one of the league’s premier defensive forwards for years and will anchor the line at center. Cotter provides speed and tenacity, while MacEwen adds the power element. This trio should give the Devils a formidable checking line capable of tilting ice time and momentum during their shifts.

The Devils’ roster moves surrounding Zack MacEwen’s return for the Islanders game in November 2025

The logistics of activating MacEwen required corresponding roster moves that illustrate the depth decisions facing Keefe and his coaching staff. Juho Lammikko, who had been filling in as a depth forward, comes out of the lineup to make room for MacEwen’s return. Lammikko had provided serviceable minutes during his time in the lineup, but MacEwen’s combination of physicality and offensive upside gives the Devils a higher ceiling from that roster spot.

Glendening’s versatility has been crucial in facilitating these lineup adjustments. The veteran forward can play either wing or center, and his move back to his natural center position allows MacEwen to slot in at right wing without requiring wholesale changes to the rest of the lineup. This kind of positional flexibility has become increasingly valuable in the salary cap era, where teams must maximize the utility of every roster spot.

The reassignment of Brian Halonen to Utica serves a dual purpose. It opens the necessary roster space for MacEwen while also providing offensive reinforcement for a Comets team that has struggled to score goals this season. Halonen had seen limited NHL action but showed enough potential to warrant continued development at the AHL level. The Devils’ depth throughout their organization has allowed them to navigate injuries and roster crunches without significant drop-offs in performance.

Looking at the broader roster construction, MacEwen represents the type of low-risk, potentially high-reward acquisition that contending teams need to make. His pending free agent status means there’s no long-term commitment, and the Devils only had to part with MacDermid—a player who was unlikely to see significant NHL ice time—to acquire him. If MacEwen can stay healthy and contribute consistently, he becomes a valuable depth piece. If the experiment doesn’t work out, the Devils can easily move on after the season without any lingering cap implications.

Impact on the Devils versus Islanders rivalry matchup in November 2025

The timing of MacEwen’s return specifically for the Islanders game carries added significance given the history between these two Metropolitan Division rivals. These matchups are typically physical, grinding affairs where depth and toughness often prove decisive. The Islanders’ identity under their coaching staff centers on making opponents work for every inch of ice, and having MacEwen available gives the Devils another player capable of matching that intensity.

MacEwen will be making his Prudential Center debut after his first game came on the road in Tampa. The home crowd will finally get their first extended look at what he brings to the table, and a strong performance against a hated rival would endear him to the fan base quickly. Devils fans have historically appreciated players who embody the kind of work ethic and physicality that MacEwen represents.

The line combinations announced for Monday’s game show a balanced attack with the Devils’ star power concentrated in their top six. Jack Hughes centers Stefan Noesen and Jesper Bratt on the top line, while Nico Hischier is flanked by Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer on the second unit. The third line features Ondrej Palat, Cody Glass, and Arseny Gritsyuk, giving Keefe scoring potential throughout the lineup. MacEwen’s fourth line, then, can focus on energy, forechecking, and physical play without being relied upon for primary offense.

On defense, the Devils will roll with Jonas Siegenthaler and Simon Nemec as their top pair, with Brenden Dillon partnering Luke Hughes and Dennis Cholowski skating alongside Colton White. Jacob Markstrom gets the start in goal, backed up by Jake Allen. This defensive configuration has been effective during the Devils’ recent winning streak, and adding MacEwen’s physicality up front should help protect against the Islanders’ heavy forecheck.

The Devils enter this matchup in strong form, and MacEwen’s return only strengthens their depth as they navigate a challenging Metropolitan Division schedule. For MacEwen personally, this represents an opportunity to prove he belongs in an NHL lineup on a nightly basis and potentially earn another contract—whether with New Jersey or elsewhere—for next season. His performance against the Islanders could set the tone for his role with the Devils moving forward, making Monday’s game a crucial proving ground as he shakes off the rust from his month-long absence.

With playoff implications on the line in every divisional game, having a fully healthy roster becomes increasingly important. MacEwen’s return gives Keefe another weapon to deploy in different situations, whether that’s protecting a lead late in games, providing a spark after a penalty kill, or simply wearing down the opposition with consistent physical play. As the season progresses and the intensity ramps up, players like MacEwen who can contribute in multiple ways become invaluable assets. His reintegration into the Devils lineup represents a small but significant step toward building the kind of depth that championship-caliber teams require.