PRE-GAME STORY
WINNIPEG, Manitoba - The Devils held a morning skate Tuesday at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre. They had full attendance of the expected players.
The club used the same workflow from Monday’s practice…
Meier – McLeod – Bratt
Toffoli – Mercer – Holtz
Palat – Haula – Lazar
Nosek – Tierney – Bastian
Hughes – Hamilton
Siegenthaler – Marino
Bahl – Smith
(Willman) – Miller
Goaltender Akira Schmid worked in the starter’s crease.
Adjustments
The Devils shuffled their lines thoroughly during a 4-2 loss to Washington on Friday. That shuffling continued through the second and third period. The team continued to shuffle for practice and have a fully new looking lineup (above).
One of the new lines consists of forward Timo Meier working with Michael McLeod and Jesper Bratt. With Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier out of the lineup, the Devils are looking for contributions from elsewhere in the lineup.
Meier has been one of those players stepping up offensively with two goals in the past two games and three goals in his last five.
“Everybody tries to make a difference out there. They’re two superstars and obviously we miss them,” Meier said. “I think it’s a chance for everybody to step up and show what they’re capable of. The most important thing is we want to win. There will be times where we’re missing guys. Next man up. Play as good as you can for the team. Help the team be successful. We want to get that win tonight with everybody that we have.”
Holtz's Chance
Forward Alexander Holtz has had a limited role so far this season in terms of ice time. But that could change as he is slotted in a top-6 spot for tonight’s game. Holtz rushed with Tyler Toffoli and Dawson Mercer.
However, if Holtz wants to hang on to that new positioning, he’s going to have to earn his keep.
“I want to bring a lot of creativity out there. We’re three really gifted players. Produce a lot of offense and hopefully bury some goals.”
D Swap
Another young player being given a more prominent role is defenseman Luke Hughes. He was paired with Dougie Hamilton, which will mean a lot more minutes and a lot more responsibility.
Jonas Siegenthaler was paired with John Marino while Brendan Smith worked with Kevin Bahl.
“When you look at some of the games we’ve been down we’ve gone to the Hughes-Hamilton pair,” head coach Lindy Ruff said. “It’s been a good pair that plays with our offensive lines and helps generate opportunities.
“Siegenthaler has done a good job of defending. Johnny’s game is in a good place. You can always tweak one or two guys during the year. You can always go back to what you had and you can even go back to that tonight during the game.”
Slow Start
The Devils have scored three goals to open a game. That’s the lowest number in the NHL. And something the team wants to correct.
“We’re a fast team. We have to use our legs right off the start,” Meier said. “We can’t wait. We can’t try to ease into the game. We have to get right on it and be ready right from the puck drop.”
“I think our stubbornness to not throw pucks to the net, to look for really good plays has hurt us in the first period,” Ruff said. “We’re looking at trying to get more pucks, generating first and second opportunities instead of looking for that perfect play.”
