MORNING SKATE RECAP:
ELMONT, NY - After a win against the Montreal Canadiens at home on Thursday, the Devils appear to be going with the same lineup straight down to goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
Forward lines at morning skate in Elmont were:
Meier - Hischier - Mercer
Palat - Hughes - Bratt
Cotter - Haula - Noesen
MacDermid - Dowling - Tatar
Defense pairings:
Dillon - Hamilton
Siegenthaler - Kovacevic
Hughes - Pesce
Nick DeSimone, just called up on Friday from Utica of the AHL was the seventh defenseman, rotating in.
Markstrom was in the starter's net at morning skate, though Coach Keefe did not confirm he was the man between the pipes. Similarly, Ilya Sorokin was in the starter's net at Islanders morning skate.
REMATCH AGAINST THE ISLES
This is the second meeting of the season between the Devils and Islanders. They met back at Prudential Center on October 25 with the Islanders eking out a 4-3 overtime win. Since that time, the Devils have won four out of five games. Brenden Dillon was asked how the Devils are different than they were back then.
"For both teams, you're talking 15, 20 games into the season. More towards what your team identity wants to be. They're a little bit banged up but they've been playing well as of late," Dillon began. "We've been finding ways to win the last few. Vancouver on the road trip was as close to a 60-minute effort as we've had all season and we want to get back to that."
Dillon added that he sees the team's top offensive players really coming together as well.
"Jack's line had a huge line last game, special teams have been pretty solid. They've got big physical forwards, skating D. We just need to know who we're up against."
Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe agreed with Dillon's sentiments.
"Each area of our game has gotten incrementally better in all zones, with and without the puck. We've had a little bit of practice time here of late," he said, adding that the team has had more time to practice recently which has also helped.
Paul Cotter talked about the new players feeling more comfortable in their roles.
"Early in the season, we were a new team, new coach, a lot of new guys. As the season's gone on, guys have meshed with other lines and we've figured out our structure and how guys read off each other."
MORE PHYSICALITY
One reason for the team's recent success has been their strong physical play which is a contrast to last season. Keefe said a lot of that is the off-season additions the team has had.
"It comes from Fitz, some of the changes he made, the people he brought in all have an element of that. Whether it's outward toughness or size, physicality, that way," he noted. "A lot of our structure and system without the puck requires physicality, closing fast, finishing plays whether it's a forecheck or track through the neutral zone or defensive zone."
In particular, Keefe pointed out what Cotter brings in terms of the overall uniqueness of his game.
"He's been really important. He and Meier both are unique players in the league and amongst our team. Their physicality, heaviness on the puck and the speed and skill they have with it, too. Not only are they good at finishing checks and plays to get the puck back, they're also good at transporting the puck."
THREE IN A ROW
Tonight's game marks another chance for the Devils to win three straight. While important, it's not something Keefe has put a lot of emphasis on going in.
"It would be nice to go on a run here, for sure, and keep forward momentum. If you want to be a playof team, you have to put together some runs. Haven't thought about it in that context but certainly want to keep it going."
