MORNING SKATE RECAP
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Devils held an optional morning skate at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena Tuesday afternoon ahead of facing the Penguins.
Forwards Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, Paul Cotter, Nathan Bastian, Curtis Lazar, Brian Halonen, Justin Dowling and Kurtis MacDermid, defenseman Dougie Hamilton and goalies Nico Daws and Jake Allen took part.
Haula Return?
The Devils may get a boost to the lineup tonight. Center Erik Haula (ankle) has been listed as a game-time decision for the contest.
“He looks good but it’ll be a game-time type of thing,” Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We’ll make sure there’s no issues throughout the day. If he doesn’t play tonight, he’ll play Thursday, but we’ll see what the rest of the day looks like. He was feeling good coming out of yesterday’s practice so that’s positive.”
Haula hasn’t played since Jan. 4 at San Jose. He practiced Monday on a line with Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer.
“For us, we just have to find a way to contribute to the team’s success,” Meier said. “’Haulsy’ is a good faceoff guy, he’s good on the PK. We’ve missed him.”
Nico’s Net
Goalie Nico Daws will get the start in goal for the Devils, his first NHL start of the season.
“It’s a week with four games and we felt we need to give Jake one of them off,” Keefe said. “This one made the most sense, especially with (Allen) coming off tightening up a little bit the other day.”
Daws won his first career road game in Pittsburgh after stopping 37 of 38 shots on Feb. 24, 2022. He made his first appearance of the current season on Sunday in Buffalo, making a relief appearance in the third period and stopping all seven shots against.
“It’s a good chance for Daws to get in there,” Keefe said. “He got some work in in Buffalo, and he did a good job with that period. Hopefully he can carry that into today.”
Opponent Notes
Evgeni Malkin will miss the game as he continues to recover from a lower-body injury. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will start in goal for Pittsburgh.
Taken Lightly
The Penguins may have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference, but the Devils know that records don’t matter much in these games. After all, the Buffalo Sabres have the worst record in the Eastern Conference, and New Jersey lost, 4-3, in Buffalo on Sunday.
“They’ve got some dynamic people throughout their lineup, their defense is pretty active,” Keefe said. “They’re very similar to Buffalo quite honestly. A dangerous team on the rush, some elite players, so special teams becomes important.
“We’ve had good responses (to losses all year) so I would expect no different tonight.”