Bruins, Devils cope with injuries

When the Boston Bruins visit the New Jersey Devils today, who isn’t in the lineup will be as important as who is.

The Devils are expected to be without Ilya Kovalchuk (shoulder) and the Bruins will be missing Patrice Bergeron (concussion) when they meet (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network).

“The Devils are just having a tough time scoring (without Kovalchuk),” NBC analyst Ed Olczyk said. “Not only is he their best forward, but the other team has to account for him, and that gives everyone else more room.”

Kovalchuk skated briskly Tuesday and said he was feeling significantly better, but he indicated he wasn’t quite ready. He hurt his shoulder March 23, and there has been no timetable set for his return.

Also, no return date has been offered for Bergeron, injured April 2.

The Kovalchuk absence is dire for the Devils because they are two points out of a playoff spot with nine games left. Since he was injured, the Devils have scored more than two goals once in eight games. They are averaging 1.75 goals a game in that span, and they have scored six goals in the last five games.

The Devils have earned four points in their last seven games.

“If Kovalchuk can get back, I think they can make the playoffs,” Olczyk said. “But it will be difficult without him. We know they can defend. With the way they played last season, they should have a lot of confidence if they get into the playoffs. They would be a dangerous matchup for everyone.”

Three of the Devils’ last nine games are against the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.

The Bruins’ concern about Bergeron centers on the team’s playoff hopes. He’s their best all-around forward. He’s important offensively, defensively, on special teams and in the faceoff circle.

“Their identity is ... I would put a question mark there,” Olczyk said. “They need to get back to the point they were at when they won the Stanley Cup (in 2011).”