MORNING SKATE RECAP
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Anton Silaev will make his NHL debut Saturday night when the Devils conclude their home-and-home with the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena.
“It's first game NHL, it's big emotion,” Silaev said.
Recalled from Utica Friday, the 20-year-old will partner with Brenden Dillon. Head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Vladislav Kolyachonok is ill and unavailable, adding another absence on New Jersey's defense.
Connor Hellebuyck will start in goal after winning each of his first six appearances for the Devils. He made 26 saves in Thursday's 5-2 victory over Washington at Prudential Center. New Jersey (14-6-0) has won eight of its past 10 games. Saturday is the third of four meetings with Washington (10-7-0), with the teams having won one apiece.
Charlie Lindgren gets the call between the pipes for the Caps.
LESS IS MORE
Silaev's opportunity comes with the Devils working through several absences on defense. Brett Pesce is also dealing with illness, Johnathan Kovacevic was placed on injured reserve Friday with a lower-body injury, and Seamus Casey remains unavailable.
“He's probably getting this opportunity sooner than we had thought that he would, and it's just a symptom of the injuries that we have here now with injuries and illness,” Keefe said.
The 6-foot-7 defenseman's skating stood out to Keefe during training camp. His mobility allows him to close space and end plays defensively, and the coach wants him to focus on being in position to use those abilities.
“The message is that less is more,” Keefe said.
That means avoiding chasing the puck or the play, keeping his decisions simple and moving the puck up to New Jersey's forwards. Keefe said the organization has liked Silaev's work in Utica as he continues adjusting to North American hockey.
The other defensive pairings at morning skate were Jonas Siegenthaler with Luke Hughes and Declan Chisholm with Dougie Hamilton. Amadeus Lombardi skated as an extra up front.
DILLON'S SUPPORT
Dillon began helping his new partner before they stepped on the ice together.
Silaev said Dillon congratulated him in a WhatsApp exchange Friday night, then helped him Saturday morning with the team's tactics and expectations in the defensive and offensive zones.
“I'm just trying to make him feel as comfortable as I possibly can,” Dillon said.
The veteran also walked Silaev through the morning's drills and encouraged him to enjoy the experience. Dillon remembered the support Trevor Daley provided when they played together in his own NHL debut and wants to offer the same patience to Silaev.
“Being a little nervous is going to be normal. Being excited is going to be normal,” Dillon said. “And whether it's the first couple shifts and if there's a few hiccups, no big deal. There's a lot of runway to go.”
Keefe pointed to Dillon's leadership, communication and encouraging approach as reasons the pairing should help Silaev.
Dillon also sees similarities in how they want to play, emphasizing simple puck movement, physical play and using their mobility to close gaps.
“I think we think the game pretty similarly. Move pucks, be simple, let's play hard and aggressive,” Dillon said.
