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Ponikarovsky set to play

Re-claiming his old No. 12, Alexei Ponikarovsky was back in a Devils jersey and practicing with his former teammates during the team's morning skate in Newark Friday. The 32-year-old winger is set to play Friday when the Devils host the Philadelphia Flyers.

He skated on the team's top line with center Travis Zajac and star winger Ilya Kovalchuk.

Ponikarovsky, who was originally brought in to New Jersey via trade last January before the deadline, was re-acquired Wednesday evening in a deal with Winnipeg that sent back two draft picks.

The move was prompted by an injury to forward Dainius Zubrus, who underwent surgery on his left wrist Thursday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Ponikarovsky, who played 33 regular-season and 24 playoff games with New Jersey last season, had two goals in 12 games for the Jets this season.