Second Practice in Prague | NOTEBOOK

PRAGUE - The Devils practiced at the ICERINK in Prague after a day off yesterday to explore the city's sights. Check below for full coverage, including lineups, video and more.

Wednesday's Workflow

The team went with the lines on Wednesday as they had the past few days:

Meier - Hughes - Bratt
Tatar - Hischier - Mercer
Palat - Haula - Noesen
Cotter - Lazar - Bastian
Foote - Bowers - MacDermid

Dillon - Hamilton
Siegenthaler - Kovacevic
Casey - Nemec
White - DeSimone

Markstrom
Allen
Daws

The team also practiced power play units. The top unit had Dougie Hamilton with Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier. The second unit included Seamus Casey on the point -- replacing Simon Nemec -- along with Tomas Tatar, Ondrej Palat, Erik Haula and Stefan Noesen.

Check back for more details on Wednesday's practice in Prague.

Casey Ready for Opportunity

As mentioned, Seamus Casey played the point on the team's second power play unit, which also includes Tomas Tatar, Ondrej Palat, Erik Haula and Stefan Noesen. He also participated on the third defense pairing alongside Simon Nemec. All signs that he may end up getting into one or both games this weekend in Prague.

"They're trying to get here," Casey said of his parents. "Whether I play or not, I said I can't guarantee I'm playing and they said either way it's a trip to Prague. We'll have fun regardless but if you do get to play we can't miss your first one.

"Maybe my brothers will (also) find a way. Hoping to have them here. We'll see."

In the meantime, Casey is soaking in the fact that he's on an NHL roster and everything that comes with it.

"All my first experiences, it's pretty cool," he said. "The guys are like, 'it's not always like this, by the way.'"

Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said that Casey's play to this point in camp has earned him this chance.

"There's opportunity there with our group right now, given that Luke and Pesce are not with us," Keefe stated. "That's opened the door for others to step up. In the short amount we've had to assess the players, Casey has stood out in terms of being confident and being himself. He's showed the ability to help us in that regard. We think that we need some help to move the puck and advance the puck out of our zone so that gets him into the lineup and then on the power play, he's shown the ability to help us there, too."

The simplicity in Casey's game is what has really gotten Keefe to trust the rookie in this prime opportunity.

"Part of the reason why Casey's in this opportunity -- this goes back to the prospects tournament -- he has a great ability to not complicate the game. It's so common for young defensemen that they think they can make an impact every shift. You don't want to create more chaos for your team while you're creating offense," Keefe said.

"I don't see a player that's going to try to do too much. He's a guy who to this point has shown he can pick his spots really well and plays with a high level of intelligence, how to manage his shift length, how to manage the puck. His skill sets are offensive assets at the appropriate time."

Casey appreciates the confidence that the coaching staff has shown him.

"To have confidence from your coaches is going to help you play. It feels good. I love being in that role and to have that opportunity is huge," he said, adding that the additional chance to play on the power play is relished.

"Those are some really incredible players. I just need to get them the puck. They make it pretty easy on me. My job should be easy as long as I do it right."

When he looks around the room, he sees established NHLers and has made a mental note to remind himself that he's fully deserving to be included in that group.

"There's a balance of knowing you're a rookie but I'm here for a reason. I'm out on the ice, I've got to try to do something out there."

Enjoying the Sights

Tuesday was a day for the Devils to adjust to the time difference and relax. Not to mention, enjoy the unique experience they've been given here in Prague.

"I've gotten to go overseas a few times for hockey so I've had some experience trying to get adjusted. I try not to take naps and stuff. It's been good. I feel good," said Casey, adding that exploring was first on his list.

"I did a lot of just walking around. (Palat) is from around here so he knows all the good dinner spots and stuff. We did some exploring, walking around Old Town, hanging out.

"It's a beautiful city. The architecture, how old the buildings are. That's cool to me."

Jesper Bratt had been to Prague a number of times and it's not too far from his home in Sweden (several hours by flight) but still made a point to enjoy the city.

"The first day was a pretty long travel day. We got a good skate in but the body's adjusting to the time difference," Bratt noted. "Got a little walk and tourist stuff in. Me and Markstrom walked around and had lunch. It's a good time for us to get together as a group."

He added that he's excited to experience the game atmosphere with both games sold out and over 16,000 expected in the building.

"Fans here are always great. Every time I've played here, including national team stuff as a young junior player and in the World Championship, the crowd is always bringing a lot of energy and a great atmosphere. We're anticipating that as well and hoping that they're going to be great like they always are."

Coach Keefe was much like his players, enjoying the unique architecture and gastronomy that Prague has to offer.

"It was a lot of touring around, walking around. Had a good breakfast, great dinner. Spent some time with the coaches yesterday through the evening. First part of the day for each of us was touring around, doing our own thing then we got together as a group and spent some social time together."

Getting Game Ready

Not to be lost in everything, there's two games to be played this weekend and four crucial points in the standings. Devils captain Nico Hischier talked about working towards the goal of winning those games through the series of practices leading in.

"We know what to do. We know how to get into the rhythm fast. Just need to be professional and do it. There's no excuses there. We still have a couple days left. Every day is going to be better and better so we're ready Friday," Hischier began, adding what he thinks the team needs to do.

"Having a plan. Going out there, having a plan. Knowing the way we want to play and be dialed-in from the get-go and obviously have some fun."

A big part of that plan is puck pressure. Coach Keefe was asked about that and pace of play, two things that have been strongly emphasized throughout training camp.

"You just want to be consistent with it. Recognizing times we can't apply the pressure and then you want to have really sound structure to be able to get the puck back and set the opportunity to pressure," Keefe stated. "The pace is going to require a lot more energy, better conditioning and better habits. Line changes, those sorts of things. We're trying to utilize the time between our last preseason game and Friday to make sure we're ready to go."

Bratt added that the team has spent a lot of time on bursts of speed or 'sprints'.

"He has a really good structure and good attention to detail. He knows how we need to play to our strengths," he said.

"Sprints with the puck, sprints without the puck. Getting to your spots as quick as possible to support each other. It's going to be exciting short term with our practices and long-term season-wise to get better."