A Big Challenge Ahead, Devils Practice Before Heading to NY | NOTEBOOK

There is something to be said for going on the road - even if the road is just a bus ride over the Hudson River. Now, as the Devils find themselves in a 2-0 hole to the Rangers, a team ride to New York City, eating dinner together and staying in a hotel, might provide the Devils the added focus needed, without any outside distractions, to begin to turn this series around.
There is little doubt this team is aware of the challenge ahead, both Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier using that exact word, and they are up for it. There is no other option.
The team will be on the ice at the RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House at 1 p.m. to prepare for Game 3, tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden.
Stay tuned to the Devils Notebook for all your latest practice coverage!

The Mentality

It was a full practice session for the team but also a new-look for the team today.
There was some significant line shuffling, as the team looks for a spark heading into Game 3.

What's most important to note is the energy and the up-beat attitude that remains with this Devils group, despite being down 2-0 to the Rangers. It's a mentality that the team has mastered throughout the season of never experiencing the highs too high and the same for the lows.
There's also a pretty good reason why… a series isn't won in two games, it takes four wins.
"We're not done, we're far from done," Erik Haula emphasized, "I think that's the biggest message. We're not defeated, we're going to keep pressing and we're going to get better. It's far from over. All of the above."
As for the message Lindy Ruff and his coaching staff are sharing with their team:
"Really just embrace this opportunity still, to realize you're one of 16 teams that have this opportunity. The fact that we haven't got the results we wanted, we still have the ability to do something special. We win one game, it turns the series around."

In This Together

It's not lost on this group that Game 3 is of vital importance, but as they've been all season, they're in this together. They got to where they are together and they'll try and fight back in this series together.
"We're in the dogfight," Erik Haula said, "you need four wins and it takes a lot. It's been the same message the whole time. We believe in each other, I love this group and I can't wait to play tomorrow."

The Road Game

The Devils had a remarkable, and league-best, 28-9-4 road record this season and they'll have to dig deep into that spirit heading into Game 3 and 4.
Of course the playoffs are a different beast, but there's something to be said for putting up those types of numbers all season long.
"I think you have to take something that you played that well on the road, I think it matters for something," Ruff shared, "Obviously going into a building where there will be a lot of energy, but you have to give our team a lot of credit for the amount of road wins we've had this year."

In Case You Missed It

WRITTEN:
WATCH:
- REWIND: A Challenge Ahead - NHL TONIGHT: Panel Discusses Game 2 - GAME 2 POST-GAME: J. Hughes | Marino | Bratt | Meier