PRE-GAME AVAIL RECAP
ANAHEIM, CA - The New Jersey Devils are preparing for their second consecutive back-to-back games when they take on the Ducks in Anaheim at 5 p.m. local time.
Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Kurtis MacDermid is will to re-enter the lineup tonight. He will take the place of Tomas Tatar, as seen on Monday during the practice session. MacDermid skated on a line with Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian.
Jacob Markstrom will get the start in net.
Quick Stops
One of the great abilities the Devils have shown this season is to end a losing skid often immediately. The club has only lost consecutive games in regulation once this year, and that was early on in the season, during a winless streak between Oct. 19 and Oct. 25 when the club went 0-2-2, with regulation losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings, while losing in overtime to the Capitals and Islanders.
"I think it's really important," Keefe said. "You want to be a group that bounces back, you don't want to let things snowball and you make corrections, you come out with a little extra push in your game, I think naturally. We've given up points, we talked about it yesterday, that Carolina game, maybe we're not playing our best game but we're 1-nothing with a minute left in the second period, we're 2-1 into the third period, and to not get points in a game like that, that should bother us, it certainly bothers me.
"I think that just as a mindset for our team, it's something we've talked a lot about. You need to bounce back quickly."
Practicing Patience
Playing on Nico Hischier's wing generally means that as a line, you'll be going up against some of the best competition the opponent has to offer. One of the things that Keefe has liked about the combination of the Timo Meier, Hischier and Stefan Noesen line is how they remain patient, being defensively responsible against some of the leagues best, while waiting for their own offense.
While it maybe come more naturally to a player like Hischier, it's an area of Meier's game that Keefe has seen flourish and grow. It has been an important part of the success the line has achieved together.
“That’s what I like a lot about their game," Keefe said." They recognize the responsibility and Nico is that type of player, but Timo has to be really disciplined in his approach. I think it’s a lot different for him in terms of his mindset to have that patience and keep working and not open the game up unnecessarily, especially playing against top players.
"Most of the top players can thrive in an open game, opportunities on the rush and such," he continued. "So (Meier’s) ability to forecheck and simplify his game a little more offensively, at times maybe takes away from some of the offense, but they’ve also got rewarded at times. So, that’s all part of it and so important if you’re trying to be a good player on a good team.”
