Despite only picking up a single point against the Canadiens on Thursday, there was a lot to be happy with from the Devils' effort. It was just the finishing touch that was missing.
"I thought it was a good game by both teams," said coach John Hynes. "They had some strong pushes and we had some strong pushes. We hit a couple of posts and had some really good looks. Even on the power play, we had some good looks but it just didn't get in the net for us."
"In the second period, we had to have at least 10 grade 'A's," said Stefan Noesen, who scored the opening goal against the Canadiens, earning himself points in a career-high five straight games.
The Devils will need those "grade A" chances to keep coming, hosting a hot Dallas Stars team on Friday night. New Jersey is running into a Dallas team that is currently riding a two-game win streak and has an 18-13-1 record. The Stars have been strong in their last 10 games, going 7-3-0.
"Dallas is on a pretty good streak right now," said Noesen. "They've beat two Metropolitan teams coming in. So we're going to have our hands full and expect a hard game from them, so we have got to come right back and play our game."
The Devils will take Friday morning off to rest before the 7 p.m. puck drop at Prudential Center. Hynes will speak at 4:30 p.m. to confirm what his lineup will look like, and provide a medical update on his injured players.
Postgame on Thursday, Hynes said he was debating giving Cory Schneider a second start in as many days, though that decision is yet to be officially made.
