NEWARK, N.J. - The Devils canceled their morning skate Tuesday due to the current spread of illness and COVID-19 throughout the team.
"It was my decision related to the overall health of the team," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "I just felt that the most important thing for our team as of last night from what I heard was to rest the team. Get them up, get them fluids, get them food, let them rest.
"Talking with our medical staff, it was a decision that I made. I deemed it would be more important than bringing the guys down (to the arena) and having them skate."
CURRENT STATUS
The Devils currently have three players in COVID-19 protocol and others dealing with various illnesses.
"Everybody has been accounted for," Ruff said. "We have other players under the weather. We have one player that will probably miss the game unrelated to COVID due to illness."
Ruff praised the work of his medical staff for their handling of the current situation.
"I think I would quit," Ruff joked. "The job they have to do to keep track of everybody. We've got illness that's not related to COVID. We've got all kinds of that. We've got COVID protocol. We have guys in COVID that don't have symptoms. There are all kinds of different rules for different situations. Daily, from 8 in the morning they have to keep track of everybody. It's no easy job, but they've done a terrific job trying to sort everything out."
PLAYING SICK
While one player will likely miss the game due to illness, others will play while trying to deal with being under the weather. And for them, the key tonight will be decision making.
"Everybody gets sick no matter what profession you're in," Ruff said. "Some people go to work. We have to go to work. We have to play the game the right way. If you don't have quite the energy you don't normally have, you have to play smart.
"Don't get caught on long shifts. Play the game the right way. Don't create a lot of high-risk opportunities against."
-Sam Kasan, NewJerseyDevils.com
