MORNING SKATE RECAP
TORONTO, Ont. – The Devils held an optional morning skate at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto before facing the Maple Leafs.
Forward Brian Halonen was recalled from the American Hockey League in the morning and he joined the crew on the ice, along with forwards Jesper Bratt, Paul Cotter, Justin Dowling, Nathan Bastian and Kurtis MacDermid and goaltender Jake Allen.
Game-Time Decisions
The Devils are currently dealing with a bug going around the room. Forward Stefan Noesen will miss his second straight game with an illness. A few other players are also dealing with the issue.
Due to that, the Devils’ lineup will feature some game-time decisions.
“We’ve got some illness stuff going on,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “These sorts of things are touch and go, making sure everybody is alright. It won’t look wildly different than we did the other night. But we’ll have to see. Halonen has come up and gives us an additional option. We’ll see where we’re at tonight.”
Happy Returns
Keefe is coaching in Toronto for the first time since being relieved of his duties at the end of last season. He had coached the Leafs from 2019-24.
“It’s great to see some of the familiar faces and say hi to everyone,” Keefe said. “I don’t want to make it bigger than it is. Ultimately, it is just a hockey game. The players will determine the outcome on the ice on both sides. I’ll enjoy it for what it is and then move along.”
View from the Other Side
The Leafs announced this morning that forward John Tavares, who was injured in Wednesday’s practice, is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury and has been placed on Injured Reserve.
“It’s always tough when you lose a guy like John or anyone on our team at this point,” forward Max Domi said. “It’s got to be a next man up mentality. We have a lot of guys here that are champing at the bit and real hungry for the opportunity.”
For some good news, defenseman Jake McCabe will return to the lineup tonight after missing the last four games with an upper-body injury.
McCabe spoke of the challenge when facing the Devils.
“They have good speed. Hughes and Bratt standout as threats off the rush,” he said. “They move laterally so we have to make sure we have good gaps on them, make sure we’re defending as a five-man unit, taking away time and space. Getting above to deny odd-man rushes and chances off the rush. That’s a good team over there. We snuck a win against them last time so I’m sure they’re going to be coming out hungry.”