Nasreddine's Notes After Skate | BLOG

EDMONTON -Following an off-day on Thursday, the Devils had hoped to have a full practice on Friday in Edmonton ahead of Saturday's matinee game but an illness sweeping over the team put a wrench in those plans. Nathan Bastian, Jesper Bratt, Dougie Hamilton, Christian Jaros and Tomas Tatar all did not skate due illness in addition to head coach Lindy Ruff.
"We'll find out more tomorrow but right now there's a bug going around the team. Lindy and a few players are sick. It was recommended that they rest and get ready for the game tomorrow," said Devils assistant coach Alain Nasreddine who added that they tried to have as complete a practice as possible.
"Today was getting ready for tomorrow, regardless of the numbers we have. We accomplished that today in order to get ready for tomorrow," he added.
After allowing six goals in each of the last two games, one of the messages at practice was the team needing to be tighter defensively.
"Lindy talks a lot about it and message doesn't change. We have to shore up our defensive game. Tomorrow we're playing a good offensive team," Nasreddine began. "Last game wasn't great for us. Whether it's on the road or at home, I don't have the explanation for that. We'll be good one period and then the next we struggle."
Two players who have been out recently will most likely be in the lineup on Saturday. Andreas Johnsson took a high stick in Vancouver and due to an eye injury missed the Calgary game.
"It's good to know he'll be back. He'll be able to see a little better tomorrow. Anytime you can add a player like Mango to the team it's going to help," Nasreddine stated.
Jonas Siegenthaler was also the first player to fall to the bug going around. He returned on Wednesday in Calgary and will be good to go on Saturday.