PRE-GAME STORY
DETROIT, Mich. - The Devils continue to focus on strong puck management, winning 50/50 battles, and bringing a high level of compete from puck drop. In their game against the Red Wings Wednesday night, these areas become even more important. Like New Jersey, Detroit is another speedy, high-octane offense that is averaging over three goals a night. The Red Wings will look to take advantage of any opportunities, and the Devils know this is an area to limit in search of a win.
“It’s always big when it comes to limiting opportunities,” Ruff said about puck management being a key to tonight’s game. “I think if we have puck management like we did against Pittsburgh and just be aware of their speed players. They have several guys that can create chances on their own.
“We’ve talked a lot about being better at that,” Ruff also shared. “Making sure that we’re forcing the other team into a 200-foot game.”
“They’re a dangerous team,” Jonas Siegenthaler explained Wednesday. “They have a lot of speed, they’re skilled, they can score goals. If we focus on our game in the back end over 60 I think we’re going to be fine.”
“We don’t want to give them any chances off the rush,” Dawson Mercer shared pre-game. “We want to make sure we play a good defensive game, and get that puck. The more we have it on our stick, the better.”
Detroit is also looking for a big two-points on Wednesday after dropping two straight games. With both teams hungry for a win, the first 20 minutes can set the tone for the game. A quick start tonight is a significant part of a winning formula.
“It’s a huge game, we’re trying to get on a little roll here,” Michael McLeod shared. “We’re heading in the right direction and they’re obviously a hungry team too so it’s going to be a good one. First period’s going to be huge.”
Picking Up Points
The Devils are looking to pick up a win in Detroit to rebound from their most recent loss, 5-3 to the New York Rangers. Wednesday’s game is also the start of three games in four days for the Devils. New Jersey is looking at this stretch of games this week as an important time to pick up points.
“I think we’ve made some steps forward,” Siegenthaler shared Wednesday. “There’s definitely some still room to improve. I think we haven’t played that consistently yet. I think that’s probably one thing we can be better at. Just show up every game and do the right stuff over and over. I think we can do a better job at that. I think if we do that we gain confidence as well, our group gets better as a unit. I think that’s one main part we have to focus on.”
“I’ve always thought that it’s an important mark, you know where you’re at,” Ruff explained. “We’re right in the middle of the league and we’re within a couple of points of moving up. I think when you look at three games in four nights it’s a really important stretch for us and you’ve got to be able to win games without key players.
“We really feel that this little stretch right now is a moment where we need to win hockey games.”
Winning Draws
Hockey is a possession game and face-offs are a key part to gaining that possession. Currently, the Devils are a top-10 faceoff team, winning over 50% of their draws a night on average. There's plenty of players who the Devils turn to including Erik Haula, Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Dawson Mercer. But at the top of the Devils face-off wins is center Michael McLeod. McLeod is currently fourth in the NHL for face-off wins, averaging a 61.7% win rate.
Whether it's an important defensive zone draw or a key face-off late in the game, the Devils frequently turn to him.
“He's worked really hard on it," Ruff shared on McLeod. "And Chris Taylor has done a great job with him and working on it every day. It’s something that he really believes his role on this team is to take the key draws and win those key draws. When you look at puck possession, if you start with the puck you have a better chance of trying to create or trying to exit your zone and McLeod has been important for us in winning key draws.”
McLeod brings a high level of intensity when he enters the face-off circle and is flexible to adjust his technique. Both areas have contributed to his success.
“I think going into every face-off like it’s a 50/50 battle,” McLeod shared about his face-offs success. “Having the will to win it, making adjustments on the fly, seeing what other guys are doing right before the game and making adjustments that way.”
His teammates have seen how strong McLeod is first hand. Facing him in practices allows the Devils other face-off players to get strong reps daily against one of the best in the NHL.
“We work against him in practice, trying to get better all of us,” Mercer explained. “But he is for sure the top one there. Percentage has shown, last year, this year, in the playoffs. He’s so strong on his stick, it’s really hard to move it.”
