MORNING SKATE RECAP
There was change with two lines at morning skate as Paul Cotter moved to play with Erik Haula and Stefan Noesen while Ondrej Palat, Curtis Lazar, and Nathan Bastian were put together. The workflow at morning skate was as follows:
Meier - Hughes - Bratt
Tatar - Hischier - Mercer
Cotter - Haula - Noesen
Palat - Lazar - Bastian
Dillon - Hamilton
Siegenthaler - Kovacevic
Casey - Nemec
Head coach Sheldon Keefe discussed how the line with Bastian and Lazar has shown up in the start of the year and why he's switching personnel:
“Those guys have been consistently good every single game all the way back to preseason,” Keefe said on the fourth line. “I thought they were probably our most effective line in our last game. Trying to get Lazar and Bastian, the simplicity and competitiveness and direct nature of their game, to continue and bring out the best in Palat. Cotter, I like what he brought to that line when we used it the one night in Prague for game 2.”
Tonight, the Devils are facing a team opening their season and celebrating their 50th Anniversary. As a result, New Jersey is expecting Washington to start the game strong while bringing plenty of energy and excitment.
"We just have to be prepared and not surprised by their energy, by their aggressiveness," Brenden Dillon explained. "Seems like we’ve been going for a month between the Europe trip and then being home the other night. We just have to understand we’re in this thing now, every shift matters, every play we got to be on our toes. And now, coming into what’s probably going to be a crazy, exciting, and loud environment, and kind of feed off that. It’s the best part about playing in this league."
“We’re fresh off our home opener here and we expected to be on our toes,” Keefe shared on tonight. “And then we were not mainly because the opponent came at us and pushed us and we have to have the same type of mentality.”
“Each guy has to win their 50-50 battles with the puck,” Tatar said. “Quick breakouts, coming on with speed, good changes, and when you combine it all together, that creates a lot of pressure on their team and I think that’s what we’re going to try to do.”
250 for Dawson
Dawson Mercer will play his 250th consecutive game to start his career, all with the Devils. His linemate and head coach discussed his impact on Saturday.
“He’s a good player, works hard, doesn’t do anything that’s going to give you a reason to consider taking him out,” Keefe said. “Very smart, versatile player. He’s done a tremendous job on the penalty kill. Really good job on the penalty kill, it’s been very impressive … very versatile guy who can give a boost to whatever line he’s on.”
“I feel Dawson was very mature since he’s gotten here, but obviously you can see the steps that he’s taking forward,” Tatar shared. “In the crucial moments he can make the right play, the decisions are a lot more mature than they used to (be). It’s awesome to see him growing and I’m very happy he’s here and he signed with the Devils.”
Tatar also spoke about the identity of his line with Mercer and Captain Nico Hischier and how they're starting the year.
“We try to play the right way defensively,” Tatar explained. “I think we’re very responsible line, we’ve been used a lot in d-zone draws. I think we’re kind of unfortunate with the pucks coming in for us right now, we’re hitting a lot of posts. But I think it’s all a matter of the process and when we do it the right way it’s going to eventually come.”
Back in D.C.
During the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, Brenden Dillon was a defenseman for the Washington Capitals. Although he has played in this building as a visitor, he shared what he thinks about when he plays against his former teams.
“It’s tough,” Dillon explained. “I’ve always found it tough. I’ve been traded a couple times and now obviously signing somewhere else, it’s tough to play against former teammates and in former buildings where I have unbelievable memories here as a Capital. We had successful teams, and some good memories from playing with those guys, but now you’re on the other side. Usually after the first or second shift you’re able to just go ‘ok, it’s just another hockey game.’”
