VANCOUVER, BC - The Devils have won 12 straight games against the Vancouver Canucks with their most recent win being several weeks ago by a 7-2 decisive score.
"It's one of those things," said Damon Severson of the Devils' success against the Canucks. "I think Washington was doing that to us, last year they beat us every game. Sometimes we had some overtime or shootout games. It can go either way. Now with the Hughes brothers, you always want to win against your brother."
Severson has never lost to the Canucks in his NHL career, with the 12-game streak going back to his first NHL season of 2014-15.
"I don't think it's any secret, we always have good games against them. We just need to come out on top," he added.
Overall, the Devils are playing very well coming off a four-game homestand where they won three times including an impressive come-from-behind 5-3 win over the league leading Colorado Avalanche.
Severson was asked about the reason for the team's strong performance.
"We had a real good offensive output. We were solid breaking out of our zone. We got the puck in the forwards' hands," Severson began. "Moving our feet, making sure we're trying to play in their zone as much as possible. If we have chances, we buried almost all our Grade A chances last games and that made a huge difference.
"Just trying to make sure we are staying in the middle, not giving up those Grade A opportunities from the slot."
Devils head coach Lindy Ruff agreed with the blueliner, noting that improvements on the defensive side has created favorable results.
"It's been a focus now for a couple of months," Ruff said of defensive play. "We don't give up much, don't give up a lot of shots and defend well but there's (still) times we could be better."
INJURY UPDATES
Tomas Tatar missed Monday's practice but said this morning that he was ready to go.
"We needed to work on a few stuff, wake up a few muscles. It wasn't an upside to skate so I used these two days to feel better and I'm ready to go," Tatar said.
Ruff added that he had no concern at all that Tatar wouldn't play.
"He was nursing a little bit of an injury. The extra day we thought would help him feel better," Ruff noted.
As for Nico Hischier, he missed the last three games but will also draw into the lineup.
"Nico Hischier will play," said Ruff. "It was an optional (morning skate) but almost everyone went out. I felt bad not going out."
