Devils Hit the Outdoor Ice in Meadowlands | NOTEBOOK

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The Devils practiced Friday night at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands.

Our Devils Notebook has the latest info, updates, interviews, videos and more from the practice session!

• More Stadium Series Info and Content
• Friday's Photo Gallery

Practice Details

The Devils gave the temporary surface a spin at MetLife Stadium. The practice lines were familiar:

Palat - Hischier - Bratt
Hughes - Haula - Toffoli
Meier - Lazar - Mercer
Holtz - Nosek - Bastian
Tierney

Bahl - Nemec
Hughes - Marino
Smith - Miller
Siegenthaler - DeSimone

Daws
Schmid

After the skate, the players were able to get some family out on the ice with them.

The Outdoor Experience

Devils players got a chance to marvel at playing on an ice surface and looking out at over 60,000 empty seats. Of course, tomorrow every one of those seats will be filled with a fan. 

Brendan Smith has played in three outdoor games and was asked if he's talked about the experience with his teammates. 

“I have been doing that," Smith said. "This kind of atmosphere, Enjoy it but at the end of the day you’ve got to put the noise aside and you’re there to win two points. I’ve been lucky to be a part of a lot of them and they’re all up there as my favorite games.”

Smith was with the Rangers when they played at CITI Field. He said now playing with the Devils, having the game right in their backyard makes it extra special. 

“Because the Rangers get Yankee Stadium, CITI Field and how it normally gets blown up in New York for the Rangers but this is our home, our turf. You get that feeling that this is a big thing for the Jersey fans. You get that blue collar feel. That’s how I grew up so I relish in that. I love that kind of feeling. I’m hoping — and you never know how it’s going to play out — that it’s a real Jersey feel out there. I’m excited for that.”

For some Devils, skating outdoors brought back memories of their youth. 

“Growing up in Toronto, outdoor rinks on every corner. Special for every one of us,” said Luke Hughes. 

“It’s really special. Both of us (he and Jack) were talking about it on the way here today. How we never really thought both of us would ever play in an outdoor game together, let alone play together.”

Nico Daws said it's been awhile since he's skated outside. 

“Last time I skated outside I was 16 so it’s been quite a minute,” he said. “I felt like a little kid out there, all bundled up. It’s kind of surreal. It’s super exciting.”

Outdoor Veteran

Lindy Ruff coached in the first-ever NHL Winter Classic in 2008 in Buffalo. While that was now over 16 years ago, he still has very vivid memories. 

“It’s turned into a real spectacular event. Everywhere it’s been," said Ruff. "The ice was great out there. The atmosphere (will be good) and we’re going to have outstanding weather now, too.”

Ruff was asked what some of the biggest differences are, playing outdoors versus indoors. 

“Just the complete atmosphere. The fans aren’t on top of you and you have a delayed roar, almost an echo. It’s a completely different feeling than playing in a closed building.”

As for the weather factor, Ruff skated during practice with just a hoodie and felt fine so no concerns there as far as the forecast goes on Saturday. 

“I actually think, skating tonight, I felt it was comfortable," Ruff noted. "There wasn’t much wind. If we don’t feel any wind, I think it’ll be a very comfortable night. And you have benches that are heated. There’s a hole in the back of the bench that a smart coach will align himself with.”

The Important Part

What hasn't been lost on anybody is the sheer importance of the game itself. The Devils are seven points behind the Flyers but do hold two games in hand. A win on Saturday would make it five points back with still two in hand. Definitely within striking distance.

“The message was we really have to wrap our arms around the opportunity that it’s such a big stage but also we’re chasing them down for the playoffs. When you play a team that’s one spot ahead of you it’s a big game,” said Ruff. 

Flyers are third in the Metropolitan Division and in the playoff picture while Devils sit just outside it. 

“The stakes are high," said Jack Hughes. "It’s a four-point game against a division rival. To get this one is a big win. No matter if it’s played in front of zero people or 60,000, it’s a really important game.”

The two previous meetings between these clubs both went to overtime. The Devils won on November 30 when Luke Hughes scored in OT in a game at Philadelphia and on December 19, Owen Tippett netted the overtime winner for the Flyers. 

“For me, they’re a highly competitive team," said Ruff. "A hard team to play against. Both games have gone into overtime. They’ve been hard games. Low chance affairs. They’re defending well. Torts has done a great job with that group.”