MORNING AVAIL RECAP
NEWARK, NJ - The Devils play their final game before the Christmas break today against the New York Rangers. At practice on Sunday, the team shook up their lines, splitting up Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt for one of the first times all season:
Cotter - Hughes - Mercer
Meier - Hischier - Noesen
Palat - Haula - Bratt
Tatar - Dowling - Bastian
Dillon - Hamilton
Siegenthaler - Kovacevic
Hughes - Pesce
Markstrom
Most noteworthy is Paul Cotter moving to the top line with Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer. Cotter hasn't scored since November 12 in Florida, a stretch of 17 games without a goal. He also had a 15-game pointless drought which ended this past Thursday in Columbus with an assist.
Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe talked about moving Cotter to the top line.
"Encouraging him that we believe in him and need more from him. Recognizing that it's not just on the player. As a coaching staff, you have to find a way to improve guys," noted Keefe. "Paul's on our power play now. We've been moving him around a bit, getting him reps with Jack and that sort of thing to let him know we're working with him to help him."
Cotter appreciated the show of confidence from the coaching staff.
“It’s the first time in my career that I’ve been shown that the coaching staff has confidence,” Cotter said after practice on Sunday. “I might be going through a drought right now, but they realize my potential and value to the team. So, it’s ‘how do we get Paul going a little bit?’
“For (head coach Sheldon Keefe) to show that trust in me is all you can ask for as a player. I’m just hoping I can give back.”
Keefe also talked about spreading Jack and Bratt around the lineup to try and get them to rub off on more of their teammates. Bratt will be playing with Erik Haula and Ondrej Palat.
"Jack and Bratter, they bring so many great things to our team. Their chemistry is so undeniable and integral to our team having success," Keefe stated. "I've got to get as many guys moving in the right direction as we can."
READY FOR THE RANGERS
Keefe also talked about how teams often have a letdown in their game right before an extended break. Today marks the team's final contest before three days with no activity due to Christmas. He said having the opponent be the Rangers should help combat that.
"As much as you talk about it and such, it's always tough the last one but the Rangers coming in gets everyone's attention," he said.
Jonas Siegenthaler said the team's mindset is to head into that break with two points.
“I think they’re playing better the past couple of weeks. We want to finish on a good note. We want to go into Christmas break with a win, with a good feeling. That’s our mindset, our goal. Just go out there, do whatever it takes to win and then celebrate Christmas.”
Cotter agreed and said he expects a competitive contest.
“It’s going to be quite a battle. Those are always the fun games. They tend to be the tightest and most physical. Maybe that’s why I’m on Jack’s line, to make sure he doesn’t get touched.”
Keefe also cautioned against taking the Rangers lightly. They're a team that's really struggled lately with only four wins in their last 14 games.
"Anytime you're playing a team that's trying to find their way, you want to prevent them getting any positive momentum. I saw the first period yesterday (against Carolina) and they played really well. Against Dallas they played very well."
