NEWARK, NJ - The Devils held an optional morning skate Tuesday at Prudential Center. Seventeen players participated, but the most noteworthy was defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
The team's best defenseman has missed the past two games with New Jersey with a lower-body injury suffered at Anaheim Nov. 2.
"There hasn't been a decision made," Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said on whether Hamilton will play. "He'll take warmup, we'll dress an extra guy and hopefully if he feels good tonight, he'll be available for us."
Total Recall
The Devils announced this morning that forwards Jesper Boqvist and Tyce Thompson were recalled from Utica of the American Hockey League.
Boqvist, 23, is second on the Comets in scoring with eight points on two goals, six assists. After a strong showing in the AHL, he's hoping that will translate into the NHL.
"Older, a little bit more experienced, a little bit better. I know more about the game," said Boqvist of why he's played so well to start the year. "I haven't been that offensive as I usually am up here. Create more chances, score more goals.
"I feel I still have more to show. It's going to be fun to get the opportunity here and show that."
Boqvist, who has played on lines with Alex Holtz, Chase DeLeo, Nolan Foote and Graeme Clarke, credited Comets head coach Mike Dineen for some of his offensive production.
"The coach gave me a lot of ice time," he said. "That's played a big part too. It's been fun, for sure."
Thompson, 22, has four goals and seven points in Utica while also featuring on the team's special teams units.
"I feel more confident as the games gone on," Thompson said. "I get more and more confident, trust in myself out there. I feel like my game has grown in all areas of the ice.
"I was able to get some PK and power-play time. Playing in all situations was nice for my development."
Hot Cats
The Panthers enter tonight's game against the Devils having lost their first regulation game the previous night, Monday, against the NY Rangers, 4-3. New York scored the game's opening four goals, but Florida mounted a third-period comeback that fell just short.
Still, the Panthers opened the season with an eight-game winning streak and an 11-game unbeaten streak (10-0-1).
Florida plays a speed game that uses a rush attack and an active defense. They lead the league in offense with 49 goals and rank second in goals per game (4.08).
"They have depth on all four lines. They have good speed. They have a good rush attack," Ruff said. "Their defense is heavily involved. Our attention needs to be making sure we can get people back, that we don't get beat up ice. Their fourth guy is involved in the offense. They're scoring quite a few goals."
Measuring Stick
The week ahead will be a difficult challenge as the Devils have a three-game homestand against some very elite NHL teams starting with Florida Tuesday followed by the NY Islanders Thursday and Boston Saturday afternoon.
All three teams are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, and this week could show how well the Devils stack up against some stiff competition.
"We'll look at one game at a time. We know what the week ahead looks like," Ruff said. "Teams that are all playing well, teams that all have good records. Teams that are all going to bring something a little bit different. We know what Florida is going to bring, we know what Boston brings, we know what the Islanders bring.
"It's going to be an opportunity for us to prove that we can stay with these teams."
