Luke Evangelista Returns to Devils Lineup Just in Time to Save Their Offense

The New Jersey Devils are finally getting Luke Evangelista back in the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche after a three-game absence, which is great news for a team that has spent the last week playing defense like it is optional.

Daily Faceoff confirmed the 24-year-old winger is returning from an illness that kept him sidelined while the Devils were busy getting blown out 7-1 by the New York Rangers and dropping another game to the Washington Capitals.

"Daily Faceoff reported Evangelista's return against the Avalanche after a three-game absence."

Before his immune system betrayed him, Evangelista was off to a solid start in his new threads. He racked up two goals, an assist, and 12 shots on net in his first five games of the season.

New Jersey did not hand him a five-year, $36.25 million contract extension in September just to watch him drink fluids in the press box. They traded for the former Nashville Predators playmaker because he put up 44 assists last year, and right now, the Devils desperately need someone who can actually set up a scoring chance.

For anyone holding Devils futures or relying on Evangelista in fantasy, his return to top-six minutes is a massive relief. You do not pay a guy that kind of money to play bottom-six hockey, so expect him to get every opportunity to jumpstart this offense.

The Avalanche are not exactly a soft landing spot for a guy coming off the sick bed. Evangelista will need to find his legs immediately if New Jersey wants to stop their current slide and prove that their recent defensive meltdowns were just a temporary glitch.