Kovalchuk set to return Saturday

Apr 20, 2013 - 3:34 PM Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - New Jersey Devils wing Ilya Kovalchuk is set to return to the lineup Saturday after missing 11 games with a right shoulder injury.

Kovalchuk was hurt during the third period of a March 23 win over Florida when he fell into the boards awkwardly while trying to avoid a check from a Panthers defender. His return, coincidentally, will come against the Panthers.

The Devils went 0-6-4 in the first 10 games of Kovalchuk's absence, snapping the losing streak with a 3-0 win in Philadelphia on Thursday. New Jersey still has slim postseason hopes, but a regulation loss on Saturday would end those.

Kovalchuk entered Saturday's action with 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 32 games.