NEWARK, NJ - Coming off a 5-0 road victory against their rivals, the Devils are back to work and focusing on their game against the LA Kings.
"I think we just got to come out with the same compete and the same mindset," said Jack Hughes following morning skate. "You can't really be satisfied with one good game, so I mean, we would like to string a few together here."
Devils Interim Head Coach Alain Nasreddine says the team prepares for games the same way, regardless of their previous outcome.
"You look at the game the same way whether you win or lose," said Nasreddine. "But going into tonight's game, there are things we want to be better at. There's also areas that we were really pleased with from our last game."
"Moving forward we have to stay on our defensive game but also offensively we got to be hungrier, get to the hard areas a little bit more," said Nasreddine. "I really liked our defensive response last game, offensively we have to do more."
Young Guys Stepping Up
With Nico Hischier out, the Devils called up Joey Anderson on February 3rd, and sent Jack Hughes to center the top line.
Although Anderson has only played two games this season for the Devils, he feels he's improving with every game.
"Getting adjusted to the speed is one thing, and then a little different style of play," said Joey Anderson. "I think I'm moving well out there and getting more comfortable every game, so that's been positive to build on."
Devils Interim Head Coach Alain Nasreddine was impressed by the forward's play since he was called up on Monday.
"He's detailed in everything he does," said Nasreddine. "Systematically, he's a guy that's only been here 2 or 3 days, now granted we play the same system down with Binghamton, but he comes up here and his attention to detail is bang on."
"We call him 'Mr. Detail' and that fits him well because he does everything well."
Nasreddine has said he would like to see Hughes create more offensive on the top line with Palmieri and Bratt. Hughes said the transition over to new line mates has been productive as he grows his game.
"It's good. [I'm] playing with two pretty good players so it's been an easy adjustment, hopefully we'll have our best game tonight," said Hughes following morning skate.
Injury Updates
Sami Vatanen returned to the ice for morning skate, and although the defenseman will not play against the Kings, Interim Head Coach Alain Nasreddine is confident he will return soon.
"It was nice to see him out there today. He's feeling better, obviously not ready for tonight, but this point in time we're just looking at day-to-day," said Nasreddine.
As for Nico Hischier, the center will remain out for now. Hischier last played against Dallas on February 1st.
"He's working with the medical staff, a little too early to jump on the ice, but he's making good progress. But again we'll see in the next couple of days," said Nasreddine.
Tonight's lines for the Devils game against the LA Kings are below:
Bratt - Hughes - Palmieri
Coleman - Zajac - Gusev
Wood - Zacha - Simmonds
Hayden - Rooney - Anderson
Greene - Subban
Mueller - Severson
Butcher - Carrick
Blackwood
Domingue
-- Catherine Bogart, NewJerseyDevils.com
