NEWARK, NJ -The Devils are looking for a little redemption against the Maple Leafs after losing three two-goal leads and allowing four unanswered third-period goals in a 6-4 loss last night in Toronto.
"We scored four. That should be enough to win a game," said assistant coach Alain Nasreddine, who will once again lead the Devils bench with head coach Lindy Ruff missing the game following the passing of his father Leeson. "When you have a two-goal lead going into a third period you should be able to win the game with attention to detail and playing within the structure."
Playing with a lead, and protecting that lead, seems to be the next natural step in the team's progression. They've improved in several categories throughout the course of the season - whether it's been the special teams, finishing chances or building on leads - but learning how to play with a lead is critical for teams that want to compete for the playoffs or a championship down the road.
"We've been playing good hockey. The team feels better about the way we're playing. We're in games," Nasreddine said. "Now it's just a matter of closing the deal. Like I said last night, we're finding ways to lose games instead of finding ways to win games. Last night was heartbreaking, a two-goal lead and to lose the way we did. It's a process and everybody wants to get wins. Now we have to start with one, we have to start with tonight."
One key for the Devils, who have lost five straight games and eight of nine, is to not allow frustration to creep into their game.
"Frustration doesn't do anyone any good," Nasreddine said. "When you're frustrated it gets your focus away from what you're supposed to do. So, we're trying to do the opposite. There's no need to get frustrated here. We just have to get back. There are certain things we want to get better at than yesterday. We just have to execute."
But don't think that avoiding frustration is the team accepting losing. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"There's no moral victory. We're playing well. And we keep saying we're playing well, but we keep losing," Nasreddine said. "It's one thing to play hard and play well, but we're in this business to win games. No one is satisfied with playing well and doing the right thing for 45 minutes. Tonight, we have to put it all together. We'd like to go into the break with a big win and then come back fresh."
Note:The Devils will not have the services of defenseman Dougie Hamilton for the game as he continues to recover from a broken jaw … The Maple Leafs will use the same lineup, including Jack Campbell starting in goal.
