Devils forward Pandolfo back in NJ lineup for first time since November

NEWARK, N.J. - New Jersey Devils forward Jay Pandolfo returned to the lineup Monday night after missing 28 games due to an abdominal injury.

The winger hadn't played since Nov. 28 against Dallas. He left that game in the third period after falling hard into the boards. Pandolfo sat out two days later, when New Jersey faced Montreal, ending his consecutive games streak at 307 - the third-longest stretch in team history.

Arron Asham was scratched from the Devils lineup Monday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins to make room for Pandolfo.

In 24 games this season, the 33-year-old Winchester, Mass., native - a New England Patriots fan playing in New York Giants territory - had eight goals and five assists. This was the longest stretch of inactivity in his 11 NHL seasons, all with the Devils.