Luke to Make Playoff Debut | NOTEBOOK

The Devils held a full practice on Saturday afternoon ahead of Game 3 at Prudential Center. Defenseman Luke Hughes will make his NHL postseason debut in the contest, it was confirmed by head coach Lindy Ruff.

Check out the latest from today's practice in the Devils Notebook!

Practice Details:

Ryan Graves (upper-body) was the only player not on the ice for the practice session. He has been ruled out for Game 3. The Devils switched up some of their line combinations and defensive pairings, including the insertion of Luke Hughes.

Needing More:

The Devils have scored two goals in their opening two games of the Second Round - both by the fourth line. The club needs more offensive production from its best players. Timo Meier and Nico Hischier are still searching for their first goal of the playoffs, while Jesper Bratt's lone goal wan an empty-netter.

"We want to win. Whatever it takes. Sometimes the bounces aren't going your way," Meier said. "It doesn't matter who scores. We want to win as a team. Everybody has to do their part. It takes everybody. Everybody has to contribute from the goalie all the way to everybody."

"We need a little more offense," Hischier said. "It starts with me as well. I'm mostly disappointed with myself, I need to help the team offensively. I'll try my best."

The biggest hurdle for the team's stars is to stick to the plan.

"You can't let frustration creep into your game. I thought I saw frustration," Ruff said. 'I think they feel the pressure of not producing. It's one of the worst places to be until you get out of that little funk where you get one and get going again."

Home Cooking:

The Devils may have lost their first two home games of the First Round - mostly due to inexperience - the club rebounded with wins in Games 5 and 7 to defeat the New York Rangers and advance. As the Second Round series shifts to Jersey, the Devils are hoping for some more of that home magic.

"Our building has provided that energy for us all year long," Ruff said. "The fact that we get the last change, we get our matchups, we can turn the table in that sense. But it's going to come down to outcompeting them in certain places to create the opportunities to win a hockey game. We know our fans will be there. They were there in Game 5. They were there in Game 7. I can tell you this team has never quit for a second."

"We have to go back home in front of our fans and win that next game. That's our goal," Meier said. "Just stick with it. It's a fun challenge. We've been down 2-0 before. We know what we need to do, but we need to do it together."

Devils Interviews:

• L Hughes: Watch
• J Hughes: Watch
• McLeod: Watch
• Bastian: Watch
• Ruff: Watch

Coach of the Year:

Devils head coach Lindy Ruff

was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award

, given annually to the NHL coach of the year. Ruff won the Adams Award with the Buffalo Sabres in 2005-06, and could win it again this season.

Ruff, Boston's Jim Montgomery and Seattle's Dave Hakstol were named as the top three vote getters for the award on Friday night.

In Case You Missed It

WRITTEN:

WATCH:

• BTS: Round One
• MIC'D UP: Tatar Mic'd Up in Game 7
• REWIND: Down But Not Out