Devils Practice in Denver | NOTEBOOK

The Devils are practicing Tuesday afternoon at Joy Burns Arena.

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

Practice Info

The only absent player for the Devils' practice was center Jack Hughes, who was given a day off. He's played a lot of hockey with the 4 Nations tournament and the team is trying to get him some adequate rest.

Goaltender Jacob Markstrom (MCL), took part in the full practice, but split his time with Nico Daws at one end of the ice.

Mr. 600

When the Devils face the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night, it will mark the 600^th career game played for Meier.

“I knew I was close. I didn’t know it was tomorrow until they told me. It’s nice,” he said. “Six hundred games, thinking back you remember your first game and all the ups and downs to here. It’s another game I want to win. It’s a milestone but nothing crazy.”

Meier’s first career game was Dec. 16, 2016 at Montreal. He scored a goal in the contest.

“It was a good start. I scored in the first,” Meier said. “Good memory in Montreal too, close to where I played junior. It was a lot of fun.”

Meier played junior in the QMJHL with Halifax and Rouyn-Noranda.

Line Reunion

The Devils switched up a lot of their line combinations in Sunday’s 5-0 win at Nashville.

A couple of the trios featured some familiar groupings. One is putting Tomas Tatar with Nico Hischier. The two worked a lot together two years ago (along with Dawson Mercer).

“It was the first game. I felt we played really well; we got rewarded,” said Tatar, who scored in the game. “I personally enjoy it a lot because I’m close with Nico as a friend as well. That makes it a lot easier. I feel we’re building some chemistry.”

Most of this season, Tatar has been working on a bottom-6 role. This was his first chance bumping up the lineup and working with Hischier.

“The role is different being on the bottom-6 or the top-6,” Tatar said. “I feel a little more familiar in that role, but I’ll do anything I can to help the team. Whatever that will be, but I feel a lot better up there.”

Another reunion was the merging of Timo Meier, Justin Dowling and Mercer together. They have played a few games together this season, and in those odd occasions have mounted some success.

“We try to play well in all zones and when we get the chance go on the offense,” Meier said. “I’ve played with Mercer. He’s a good player that can make offensively plays, but he’s also responsible in the D zone. We’re all trying to bring our strengths to the line, and we’ll have success.”

Building to a Streak

The Devils were one of the hottest teams in the NHL heading into the Christmas break. But coming out of the break, the team struggled with an up-and-down showing.

Coming out of the 4 Nations break, the Devils did not want to repeat how things went following Christmas. And so far, so good. The Devils played well against Dallas in a 4-2 loss and followed that up with a 5-0 victory at Nashville.

“We played a very good game against Dallas. We had some system cracks and they scored,” Tatar said. “Overall, the skating and energy, I think we did create a lot against Dallas. We continued against Nashville. There were some system crashes that we have to work on so those don’t happen because they can cost you a game. Overall, pretty good games the last two we played.”

Two good showings is nice, but the Devils will be put to the test against Colorado. And it takes three in a row to make a streak of good play.

“We just have to keep building,” Meier said. “If you play the right way, you’ll get more wins, especially with the team we have. Sticking to the plan and trusting the process, that’s the biggest thing. We trust in what we do. Do it over and over, very, very high competitiveness. That’s key.”

He Said It:

Tatar on playing in the Denver altitude; "It does hit you at the start. A good recipe for it is short shifts at the start, ease into it. As the game goes on you feel better and better."

He Said It 2:

Meier on getting something from Nico Daws for his shutout preserving save with his skate: "I might have to ask him. He played a great game. Awesome to see him get a shutout. That was a lucky one to save that."