Devils Practice Friday | NOTEBOOK

The Devils are practicing RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House inside the Prudential Center on Friday afternoon. 

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

Practice Info

The Devils had their full allotment of players participating at practice.

Taking Responsibility

Devils forward Jesper Bratt was reunited with Jack Hughes on a line for Thursday’s nights game against Calgary. It was a tough reunion as the triumvirate was on the ice for four goals against in the 5-4 loss. Bratt reasoned that it had more to do with the line chasing offense.

“A lot of times we created some good looks and had some good offense, created off the rush,” Bratt said. “The problem was we went so hard on the offense that we missed out on the defense. I think that’s what happened on a lot of the goals that our line was on. We take full responsibility for that. We’re a line that strives to be the best line for our team every single night, create offense and win games. We do take a lot of pride in the defense part of it too. That wasn’t a good game at all for our line. We’re excited for having the practice we had today, get back to work tomorrow and show what kind of line we are.”

That being said, the trio of Bratt, Jack Hughes and Connor Brown has shown a lot of good things. And the linchpin piece has been Brown joining the Peanut Butter and Jelly.

“He’s a great fit. A vocal guy that has played with a lot of really good players in the past,” Bratt said. “He really knows what it’s like to play with skilled speedy guys that want the puck a lot. He’s a good voice for us too, acting like a teacher mentality, showing what can work for our line. He wins a lot of battles, wins a lot of pucks back. He’s smart with the puck too. He really knows how to utilize my and Jack’s speed.

“A player that guys like me and Jack trust a lot and want to learn from.”

Hughes had requested to play with Brown and the coaching staff decided to give it a look, though admitted that it may or may not be a long-term plan.

“Brown is very personable, loved, likes to talk, is a student of the game,” Keefe said. “Guys like Jack and Bratt are drawn to that because of Brown’s personality. Then you look at his experience, playing with elite guys he picks up on different things, being around them every day. They want to know about and hear about. He also gives them some confidence. He can help them. He can play with them.”

King High

The Devils won their first three games of the homestand but have lost their last two. A big reason for the two losses has been the club’s inability to get inside on their opponent. In fact, against Detroit, New Jersey had a ton of offensive zone puck possession. But it was all on the perimeter.

With the Los Angeles Kings coming to town Saturday, getting inside will be paramount to the Devils’ success.

“When we’re playing a time like we are tomorrow (getting to the inside) is going to be key. They’re a good defending team and good at keeping you on the outside,” Bratt said. “It’s simplifying and getting pucks to the net early. When you get pucks to the net early, you get some opportunities, everyone is out of their structure, then you can start to rotate. For guys like me and Jack, use our speed and skill in the high ice in the zone, get them tired out. That’s going to have to be our key.”

Friendly Visit

Keefe had a number of family and friends in the stands to take in the Devils’ practice on Friday.

“I think your Tourism Prince Edward Island promos are paying off because they all came in from PEI,” Keefe joked with NJD.tv reporter Amanda Stein about the Devils Download series. “PEI, which so happens is where my roots are. Both my parents are from there. My cousin and his kids and some of their friends. They had a choice to go anywhere they wanted to for spring break. They chose Newark to come watch the Devils for a few games.”

He Said It

Keefe on the usage of Maxim Tsyplakov: “I’d like to see Tsyplakov take control. I met with him the other day before putting him back in (the lineup). I think he’s got something to offer us. We just need him to own that, take some pride in it. I think yesterday was a good, positive step.”