MORNING SKATE RECAP
VANCOUVER, BC - The Devils held a full morning skate at Rogers Arena ahead of facing the Vancouver Canucks.
The Devils did not run lines, but this is what they used at Tuesday’s practice…
Palat – Hughes – Bratt
Meier – Hischier – Mercer
Cotter – Haula – Noesen
Tatar – Dowling – Bastian
Dillon – Hamilton
Siegenthaler – Kovacevic
Hughes – Pesce
Jacob Markstrom worked the starter’s net.
Bass Back
Devils forward Nathan Bastian looks like he will return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch the past two games.
“I have been playing well and had a good start to the year,” he said. “If I can provide more (physicality), that’s my role and that’s my job. So, I’m going to try and do that.”
“He needs to keep doing the things that he’s been doing,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Bastian. “He’s played really well for us. He has more physical edge he can bring to the mix as well. He doesn’t need to overthink it. He just has to go out and play.”
Structure vs. Rush
The Devils have put an emphasis on play in the defensive zone, particularly using layers of bodies to shield and protect the net. The result is that they aren’t extending their forwards for stretch passes and breakouts.
That means the Devils will not create as much offense off the rush as they have in the past, but will be better protected defensively.
“This team historically has been very, very strong on the rush and we want to continue to be that when those opportunities present themselves, but we’re not going to force the issue,” Keefe said. “We’re not going to create problems for ourselves the other way in search of a play off the rush if it’s not available.
“That’s an area of growth for our team that we continue to talk about on a daily basis.”
No Lazar Update
Keefe did not have an update on the injury to center Curtis Lazar, who left the last game with an injury.
“No update in terms of the actual number,” Keefe said. “He’s still getting some other opinions. We’ll get an answer for you when we have the full information.”
Quinn's Scout
Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes gave the following scouting report on his brothers' Devils: "They're very dangerous. They have a really good team to be honest. Markstrom is a great goalie. Luke and (Brett) Pesce are back. Nico is hot right now. Jack and Bratt are playing really, really well. it's going to be a tough game."
