Devils' Elias inching closer to making season debut

The New Jersey Devils could see a familiar face make his season debut on Wednesday.

Veteran left wing Patrik Elias declared himself ready to return to the lineup and could see his first game action when the Devils face the Metropolitan Division-rival Columbus Blue Jackets. Sidelined by a knee injury, the 39-year-old Elias practiced with Stefan Matteau and Jacob Josefsen on Tuesday.

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"I think I'm in," Elias told Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record.

New Jersey coach John Hynes told reporters there's "a strong chance" Elias either will play versus the Blue Jackets or against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.

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Elias collected just 13 goals and 21 assists in 67 games last season. A second-round selection of the 1994 draft, Elias is the franchise's all-time leader in tallies (406), assists (611) and points (1,017).