The defenseman has been sidelined for the last two games with an upper-body injury.

New Jersey Devils defenseman John Marino will return to the lineup this afternoon against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Marino has not played since March 11 against the New York Rangers and was listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Marino has appeared in 64 games this season and has 23 points (four goals, 19 assists). The North Easton, Massachusetts native is three points shy of matching his career-high 26 points.

In his absence, the Devils coaching staff has used the following defensive pairs:

Luke Hughes - Simon Nemec

Santeri Hatakka - Brendan Smith

Kevin Bahl - Nick DeSimone

Interim head coach Travis Green confirmed Hatakka will come out of the lineup to make room for Marino.

New Jersey's blue line remains without Jonas Siegenthaler, who sustained a concussion against the New York Rangers. Dougie Hamilton, who has been sidelined since November 28 with a torn pectoral, remains a ways away from his return.

Puck drop between the Devils and Golden Knights is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 P.M. EST. The game will be broadcast on TNT.

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