Back Home in NJ, Devils Provide Blackwood Update | NOTEBOOK

After eight days on the road the Devils returned to the comfort of their own practice facility today with another big week ahead.
The team started off the afternoon with a playlist going over the loudspeakers, before settling into the routine practice.

Listen to the Music

The practice session started a little unusual today, as the music began to blast on the overhead speakers at RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House. It was only for a short time but while the usual warmup drills were taking place, the team had a playlist going.
"Just tried to create a little spirit after such a long day yesterday," head coach Lindy Ruff said, "We've done it a couple of times now, so good to get the day started like that."
It was a long travel day for the Devils yesterday, who returned from Calgary but went straight back to work today knowing that another big week lays ahead, starting with, once again, the Calgary Flames who visit on Tuesday night.

Flames - Again

The season series with the Calgary Flames will be over in a span of four days. The Devils, after winning in Calgary on Saturday night, are set to take on the Flames in the second in as many games when the club host the Flames on Tuesday night. The Devils won the game in overtime over the weekend, but the Flames gave the Devils a tough matchup and things to be weary of heading into Tuesday's game.
"I thought as the game went on," Lindy Ruff said after today's practice, "puck battles became really important. You can see why they're an effective team, because of how heavy they are around the puck. I thought we were going pretty good until we gave them that second and I thought we got on our heels and we didn't quite utilize our speed as well as I thought we could."

Blackwood Has Knee Injury, Sprained MCL

Mackenzie Blackwood has been diagnosed with a knee injury, a sprained MCL that occurred Thursday night in Edmonton. Blackwood is scheduled to meet with doctors tomorrow in New Jersey, Ruff shared.
With Blackwood out injured, the club recalled Akira Schmid over the weekend. He backed up Vitek Vanecek in Calgary and remained with the club this morning. Schmid carried most of the secondary workload at practice, occasionally swapping out of the net with Jonathan Bernier who continues his long recovery from hip surgery.
"I have a lot to prove to myself," Schmid said of the opportunity that is likely in front of him with Blackwood injured, "Obviously the stats speak for themselves. It's not all about stats, but about improving too. I feel like I can play better than I did if I get the chance. I've got to be ready."
The 22-year-old was called into NHL duty last season for six games but still is in search of his first NHL victory.

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