MORNING SKATE RECAP
NEWARK, NJ. - The Devils held an optional morning skate at Prudential Center ahead of hosting the St. Louis Blues Wednesday night.
Those taking part in the skate are forwards Jesper Bratt, Connor Brown, Paul Cotter, Luke Glendening, Juho Lammikko, defensemen Colton White and Dennis Cholowski and goalie Jake Allen.
Forward Evgenii Dadonov, who left the previous game with an injury, will be out tonight and will miss some significant time.
“He’s going to miss some time,” Keefe said. “He won’t be available for a period of time. We don’t have an update for you. We’ll get some further results today and we’ll have a better picture later on.”
Goalie Jacob Markstrom will make the start in goal.
White Christmas
Colton White, 28, has gotten himself into five games so far this season with the Devils and he’s making the most of every minute.
“Any day in the NHL is a good day. It’s a privilege to be here. It takes a lot of work to stay here. I’m just doing my best day-by-day, whether it’s in a practice or in a game, just doing what’s asked of me and try to contribute any way I can.”
White has tried to add some simplicity in his game at the NHL and take less risky chances than he would in the AHL.
“The more you play, the more you learn,” he said. “I’m still learning too. I haven’t played that much in this league. I’m taking in as much as I can. I think as time goes on you find what works for you whether it’s the American League or NHL. They’re different leagues and different games. I have to play simpler here to be affective. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
On the Blues
Keefe on the Blues: “It’s going to be tight checking. They only have three regulation losses. A lot of games are getting to overtime. It’s been similar to how we’ve been playing quite honestly, for the most part. We were just chipping away and bringing games to overtime, finding ways to get points. I don’t see this game being any different today. That’s what we’re preparing for.”
