TEMPE, AZ - He's in.
After missing two games since being acquired by the Devils last Sunday, Timo Meier will make his Devils debut today against the Arizona Coyotes, Lindy Ruff confirmed two hours before puck drop.
"Timo's going to play. He feels good. Looking forward to seeing him play," said Ruff.
He will play on a line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt as well as on the first power play unit alongside Hughes, Bratt, Hischier and Hamilton. Ruff talked about Meier's initial role on the power play in the bumper position which was what the team practiced yesterday.
"There's a rotation on our power play that you're not always in the bumper. There's a lot of lefties there and even our flanks change sometimes," Ruff cautioned. "He might even be the net-front guy which he's familiar with playing, too."
As for expectations, the Devils don't need or want Meier to try and do everything himself, which shouldn't be a big issue given the offensive support he has around him.
"We want him to play his game. We know what his strength is. He has a heck of a shot. He's a big body that goes to the net real hard. We want him to understand our game. Every team has little nuances in their game that you want him to understand."
Lines at practice on Saturday were:
Tatar - Hischier - Mercer
Meier - Hughes - Bratt
Palat - Haula - Boqvist
Wood - McLeod - Bastian
Siegenthaler - Hamilton
Marino - Graves
Bahl - Severson
MULLETT ARENA
Tonight marks the Devils' first-ever game in Mullett Arena. The Coyotes moved here to Tempe over from Glendale in the off-season. It's notable because of the capacity which is slightly over 4,000.
"It seems small," Ruff chuckled when asked about playing here. "Ice was good. The sheet of ice is the same for both teams. I don't know what the atmosphere will be like yet but we'll get a taste when the game starts."
As for the opposition, Ruff said that despite the Coyotes' low position in the standings, the Devils will need to battle for their two points tonight.
"They work hard, they play hard. I expect them to give us a hard game. They've beat some good teams. Not for a minute can we take them for granted."
