MORNING SKATE RECAP
OTTAWA, Ont. - After a day off Wednesday, the Devils were back to work at Thursday’s morning skate ahead of their game against the Ottawa Senators. There were changes involving three of the four lines throughout the session. Here was the workflow:
Meier - Hischier - Mercer
Cotter - Hughes - Bratt
Tatar - Haula - Noesen
Palat - Lazar - Bastian
Dillon - Hamilton
Siegenthaler - Kovacevic
Casey - Nemec
With these changes, Meier moved to a line with Hischier and Mercer while Cotter joined Hughes and Bratt. Tatar skated with Haula and Noesen.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe discussed Meier and Cotter and what each could bring to these respective lines:
“He’s gives that group a little bit more offensive pop,” Keefe said on Meier. “I wanted to give it some time, with the look that we’ve had through 5, 6 games there. But I think it’s a good opportunity to look at something different.”
“I think he’s a bigger body that can skate the rink really well with and without the puck.” Keefe said about Cotter. “Whether that’s transporting the puck to the offensive zone and getting those guys on offense, or forechecking to get the puck back. Those are the things that I would look for. In having Cotter and Timo both playing up in those top two lines, it gives us a presence on each.”
Dawson Mercer discussed what he and Hischier will do to support Meier’s shot following morning skate:
“(A) guy that you want to find when he’s open there to get a shot on net,” Mercer shared about Meier. “He loves shooting it. So definitely, me and Hischier try to create some space, get the puck, and create that opportunity to get some more shots on net, it’ll be great thing tonight with him there.”
Paul Cotter discussed the opportunity to play with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt and their playmaking abilities.
“Playing with them is a treat,” Cotter said about playing with Hughes and Bratt. “They’re both very good players in this league. Just trying to make sure I don’t change anything with my game. Just stick to my physicality and try to make plays. They’re going to be open and they’re going to be able to make some plays that some people can’t, so just making sure I’m ready in certain scenarios for when the game gets hectic they’re able to make those great plays, and create scoring opportunities. Just making sure I’m ready for that.”
SPECIAL TEAMS BATTLE
It’s a match up of the third best penalty kill (New Jersey) and the third best power play (Ottawa). The Devils have allowed only one power play goal against through 16 penalties, a strong kill rate of 93.8% through six games. In addition to having plenty of forwards to use for these situations, the familiarity of using pairs of forwards together has helped.
“We haven’t given up too much,” Mercer said about the penalty kill. “Going with the same type of players, same reps, I’ve been going with Nico a lot, so we’re super comfortable together. Giving a lot of pressure, not giving them much time, and when they do settle it down, we’re taking away options and I think we’ve been very dialed on it. We haven’t been running around, (have) control, and that’s just been pretty much working for us in our favor.”
FACING THE SENATORS
When it comes to the challenges the Senators bring, Keefe discussed their mix of skill, speed, and physicality.
“I have great respect for their forward group in terms of the pace they can play with,” Keefe shared. “The skill they can play with, but also physical and competitive. So there’s lots to contend with there, and then their defense is mobile and active. In transition, you make mistakes, they make you pay for it. That’s a big piece and we’ll have to be really prepared to manage that today.
“We’re going to have to be really responsible with the puck and great defensively here tonight.”
Ottawa is coming off a 8-7 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings. Although that's not something they're focused on, the Devils will be mindful of what a win like that can do for their opponents.
“If a team comes out and has a lot, sometimes guys are feeling hot, they have a little bit more swagger to their game,” Cotter explained. “Right away just shut them down when you can. If you have a chance to make a hit, make a hit, especially with those players that are feeling a little hot right now. Just a tiny thing in the back of your head just to remember.”
