MORNING SKATE RECAP
NEWARK, NJ - With the Devils hosting the Utah Hockey Club on Monday afternoon, the team did not hold a morning skate. Head coach Sheldon Keefe joined the media prior to puck drop. Here are the biggest takeaways from that session.
Goalie Split
Keefe confirmed that Jake Allen will get the start in net against Utah. The Devils will play at Carolina Tuesday night and with the back-to-back situation, the club wanted to utilize both goaltenders.
“With back-to-back games here, going to Carolina tomorrow, we’re going to use both guys,” Keefe said. “It just made sense for us to give Markstrom the extra day of rest.”
Shutdown Pair
The Devils have used defensemen Jonas Siegenthaler and Johnathan Kovacevic in a shutdown type of role in the early games this season. They logged the most minutes for the team in Washington while keeping the opposition in check.
“Those guys have been so consistent in their game. It’s been great,” Keefe said. “Kovacevic is getting in here with a fresh start, taking advantage of every opportunity. He’s just been terrific for us. Siegs, defensively he’s been so sound. I thought he got a little more involved in the offense and helping us get out of our zone in the last game, which was a real positive step as well.”
The Devils are currently undermanned with three blueliners currently out of the lineup: Brett Pesce (ankle), Luke Hughes (shoulder) and Santeri Hatakka (upper-body).
“Those guys have been really, really solid,” Keefe said, “at a time with the quality of players that we have out on the backend that we expected to be a big part of our team, we need others to step up and those guys have certainly been there.”
Shutdown Forward
Aside from the defense, the Devils have used the trio of Tomas Tatar, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer as the shutdown line against the opposition’s top scoring lines.
“Nico is well known for that, and he’s been so strong in the faceoff circle,” Keefe said. “And it’s taking those responsibilities serious. Recognizing that’s part of his job. Sometimes he’s going to give up some offense to be in the right spots and do a good job there. I think that’s important for him to pick his spots.
“I’ve liked that line each and every game that we’ve played. Even though they’re not scoring – which I believe that they will – they’re giving us very, very important minutes.”
