Rookie center Adam Henrique will miss his second straight game as he continues to battle a nagging groin injury that has bothered him since Mid-January.

The 21-year-old missed an additional pair of games before the break and opted out of participating in the All-Star weekend skills competition because of the injury along with fellow rookie Adam Larsson (wrist).

According to coach Pete DeBoer, Henrique skated Thursday morning before the team and may practice in advance of Saturday's game in Philadelphia.

With Henrique out, the Devils are without two of their top centers. Travis Zajac was placed on injured reserve January 4 because of lingering soreness in his surgically-repaired Achilles tendon.

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Defenseman Bryce Salvador is expected to play Thursday against the Canadiens, according to DeBoer, although the Devils may dress seven defensemen.

Salvador, who did not skate Thursday morning, played through a minor leg injury Tuesday, DeBoer confirmed. Matt Taormina will dress if the team elects to go with an extra defenseman.

• • • Eric Boulton said he was surprised to receive a phone call from league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan Wednesday, informing him of a $2,500 fine for slashing Mike Rupp in the Devils 4-3 shootout win Tuesday.

"I didn't even remember it," Boulton said.

The play, which went un-penalized, occurred during the second period; Rupp appeared to suffer a hand injury as a result of the slash but remained in the game.