Nolan Foote Returns to Practice | NOTEBOOK

The Devils are practicing in Newark prior to flying to Washington, D.C. for a game against the Capitals. Forward Nolan Foote returned to team practice. 

Stay tuned to the notebook for the latest info, updates, interviews, videos and more from the practice session!

Practice Details

Devils forward Nolan Foote (undisclosed) returned to team practice. Defenseman John Marino is the lone absentee due to an illness, but he will travel to Washington with the team.

Siegenthaler Return Immient

Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler’s return to the lineup appears imminent. Perhaps even as early as Tuesday night in Washington.

“Now he’s got a couple practices in him. He’ll be available to play,” head coach Lindy Ruff said. “We’ll look at him for tomorrow’s game and getting back in.”

“I feel ready. I feel good on the ice,” Siegenthaler said. “I’m excited to play again.”

Siegenthaler has been out of the lineup since suffering a broken foot while blocking a shot on Jan. 6 against Vancouver. He knew immediately there was an issue.

“I stepped on my foot again and it didn’t feel right,” he said. “I knew something was wrong there.”

Siegenthaler followed an intense rehab program to get back into the lineup. The first 10 days after the injury he couldn’t even walk. And just six weeks later, he’s at full speed.

“I started walking after 10 days. The first couple days were hard just walking on crutches,” he said. “I couldn’t move a lot. I was excited after those 10 days to get moving again in the gym. The last two weeks I’ve been on the ice, which felt pretty good as well.”

When Siegenthaler does return, he’ll have a lot of adjusting to do. Not just with his transition back to game shape, but also the Devils new defensive zone schemata.

“I watched a lot of games those six weeks. I’ve been paying attention to details, stuff we switched,” he said. “I want to make the transition as smooth as possible whenever I get in a game.”

While Siegenthaler is ready to get back on the ice, there will still be some remnants of the injury.

“There still a little bit of pain but I think that’s normal,” he said. “It’s been six weeks now, but I feel ready.”

Building

The Devils are still coming off the high of a fun and eventful Stadium Series game that saw them triumph, 6-3, against the Philadelphia Flyers. But now it’s time to get back into the grind of the season.

“The previous game doesn’t mean a lot if you don’t follow it up with a good effort,” Ruff said.

“The other night was a lot of fun. We found a way to win against a team that we’re chasing,” forward Tyler Toffoli said. “Now we have to put it behind us now. There was a lot of emotion that went into it. A lot of energy. A lot of time. We have to get back to what we’ve been doing. Go on the road and win another big game against a team (Washington) that’s not far behind us.”

The Devils will play four games in six days. This comes a week after they just played four games in six days. It’s an opportunity for the club to keep building on the momentum from their 4-2-1 run since the All-Star break.

“Getting back from the bye week was a reset, refresh for us,” Toffoli said. “I feel like our game has taken a turn since then.”

Many things have contributed to the team’s recent successes. But often overlooked is the mental point.

“There’s no panic,” Toffoli said. “There are little breakdowns that happen throughout games. You’re playing against the best players in the world. We have no panic. We’re tightening things up in the D zone and getting big saves at key points in the game. We never count ourselves out. We find a way to stay with it and find a way to win.”

He Sait It:

Ruff on his old teammate Craig Ramsey who coaches Simon Nemec on the Slovakian national team: “I’ve told Simon a couple times that I’ve threatened to call Craig. And make sure you keep playing well or a I will call Craig.”

Stadium Series Recap

It case you missed it - and I'm sure you haven't - the Devils were a 6-3 victor against Philadelphia Saturday night at MetLife Stadium in the Stadium Series. And if you did miss it, we've got you covered. Check out all the amazing content from the event in our Stadium Series hub. It's well worth your time.

Dine with the Devils

In the midst of the Stadium Series was the Dine with the Devils event. Catherine Bogart was on site for this Jersey Life.