Overview
- Dillon reached the 1,000-game milestone on Dec. 1 but was shaken up in a second-period fight with Dmitri Voronkov and needed help leaving the ice.
- He returned for a few shifts late in the second period but did not play the third, leaving New Jersey short on the blue line in a 5-3 loss.
- Jonas Siegenthaler was later ejected with a game misconduct for an untied jersey during a fight, further depleting the Devils’ defense.
- Keefe said Dillon did not realize he was in a fight and was tackled from behind before his helmet came off, describing Dillon as one of the league’s most honorable players.
- The milestone caps a journey from undrafted free agent to veteran leader in New Jersey after stints with Dallas, San Jose, Washington, and Winnipeg, following an offseason disc replacement surgery and a start this season with three goals and six assists in 25 games.