PRE-GAME STORY
DALLAS - With defensemen Jonas Siegenthaler and John Marino both unable to play, it's going to be a young blueline for the club tonight in Texas.
It was an optional morning skate, but it was well-attended.
Ten forwards took the ice: Bratt, Hischier, Meier, Willman, MacDermid, Lazar, Holtz, Tierney, Mercer and Jack Hughes.
Five blueliners also skated: Bahl, Marino, Wotherspoon, Hatakka, DeSimone
There were three goaltenders: Allen, Kahkonen, Daws
Devils head coach Travis Green talked about a young blueline that will likely consist of some combination of Luke Hughes, Nemec, Bahl, Hatakka and DeSimone. Bahl, with 131 career NHL games is the elder statesman among that group. Veteran Brendan Smith will, of course, play.
"We'll probably dress seven (defensemen) for warm-up but I've got a good idea (who will play)," said Devils interim head coach Travis Green. "We're going to have some young D in the lineup."
As for Marino, who's on the trip and did skate this morning, Green said he's not a possibilty for tonight.
"He won't go tonight. He's going to get a skate and hopefully he progresses enough to play Saturday."
Green added that tonight will be a good opportunity for some of the team's young blueliners.
"Every game brings a different element," he said. "I'm looking forward to seeing our young D play. Different minutes they haven't had before. Exciting for them as well."
JAKE ALLEN STARTS
After starting his Devils career in a holding pattern as a result of visa issues, Jake Allen will get to make his debut between the pipes tonight.
"Jake will play tonight, so that's good news," said Green. "Veteran guy. Good goalie in the league for awhile now. I'm looking forward to getting Jake in the net and getting him up and running as quick as possible."
MERCER AND HISCHIER TO SKATE WITH JACK
A new-look top line emerges for the team tonight as they search for some offense. Dawson Mercer and Nico Hischier will skate with Jack Hughes.
"They're both good players. I don't think there's one does this and one does that. Good offensive-minded players, when you put them together you hope to see a spark," said Green of playing Hischier with Hughes. "Nico is a great two-way centerman. He's smart. Jack can make things happen on his own. Mercer is a guy who hasn't got going this year the way he'd want to or like we'd like to see as well so hopefully this sparks him."
Green cautioned that he could also switch things up.
"Doesn't mean that during the game, I'm not going to go back to certain combos. I like to get our top players together. Nico, Jack and Bratter like to play together and you might see a bit of that as well."
Mercer was excited for the opportunity play on a line with Hischier and Hughes.
"I want to make sure I support them. Give them outs when they need it. For Nico, he works so hard and I want to make sure when he goes into the battles I'm right there with him," Mercer said.
"Played with them both but never together at the same time so this is a new one. I've always enjoyed playing with both of them. Whenever you're on a line with them, you want to make sure you take advantage of it."
Hischier said he's also looking forward to the challenge.
"Fun," he said of playing with Jack. "He's a tremendous player and makes plays. Sees the open ice. It's been fun so far. I like it."
As for Mercer, Hischier pointed to the success the pair had last season.
"He works hard every shift," he said.
READY FOR DALLAS
With 89 points, the Stars rank in a tie for fifth in the NHL league standings. The Devils know they have their work cut out for them.
"They're a good team. Veteran group. Strong rush team," noted Green. "We've got a young D core at the back end so our forwards are going to have to do a good job helping them. Play with a lot of confidence. Play fast. That's a strength of our team."
Mercer agreed with his coach.
"They've been playing really good hockey all year. We need to make sure we have a good start. They're a big team. They play fast and physical."
Hischier added that he was confident the Devils could compete and emerge victorious.
"We need to bring our best tonight. It's just about executing our game plan," said the captain.
