The New Jersey Devils will face the New York Islanders on Thursday night with a backup goaltender you’ve never heard of.
Until now.
And may never hear from again.
Jersey is down four goalies right now. Mackenzie Blackwood and Akira Schmid are in NHL COVID-19 protocol, and Jonathan Bernier (hip) and Nico Daws (undisclosed) are injured. So Jon Gillies gets the start.
But the Devils didn’t have time to get another goalie into their NHL dressing room in time for the game tonight.
So… what happens now?
A 28-year-old who played NCAA Division III last in 2017-18 will be the Devils’ backup in net.