NEW YORK, NY - As the Devils face the Rangers for the second time this season, Interim Head Coach Alain Nasreddine knows this team is different since the last time these two clubs met.
"The last time we played them, there wasn't much conviction in our play, we didn't skate, we got out competed, they were the hungrier team," said Nasreddine. "That was awhile ago. We know how we're playing now, and how we need to play to be effective. Consistent game to game, period to period, shift to shift."
"We're playing more consistent, with our skating game, with some winning hockey, that's what we have to do here," said Nico Hischier. "It's going to be a fun game, a rivaly game."
Nico Hischier has emerged as a leader this season and Nasreddine is impressed by the forward.
"Leadership is not just about being vocal, it's showing that on the ice, that's the number one thing about Nico, but he's also been more vocal," said Nasreddine.
"Its an honor, if they trust you to give an A on the jersey, you're doing something right," said Nico Hischier. "Lead the way, go out there and be a leader. Do the right things, do the little things right, and not be afraid to say anything."
In addition to being a strong and consistent leader, Hischier is also consistent with a high level of play.
"[He's] making it hard on the defending team, playing well in the offensive zone, tough to contain," said Nasreddine. "He's very elusive but he's also strong, people don't realize it but he's strong in one-on-one battles. And that's on the offensive side. And then when you look at him defensively. He's extremely reliable."
Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes will not play tonight, but according to Nasreddine, they are close to returning.
"They keep getting better. They skated this morning. They're getting closer and closer again I've been saying this for awhile now, I don't think we expect it to be this long but they're inching closer and closer."
Mackenzie Blackwood will start in net for the Devils. Blackwood had a dental procedure yesterday after losing several teeth in Thursday's game against the Islanders.
"It's impressive, both physically and mentally," Nasreddine said about Blackwood's performance Thursday. "To lose teeth like that off of a pretty hard shot, and not only that, but stay with it, stay composed, he had to make a couple big saves after that. It speaks a lot about his character and determination."
Tonight's lineup is the same as the game against the Islanders:
Simmonds - Hischier - Palmieri
Coleman - Zajac - Gusev
Boqvist - Zacha - Wood
Street - Rooney - Hayden
Greene - Subban
Severson - Vatanen
Butcher - Mueller
Blackwood
Domingue
OUT: Hughes (Injured), Bratt (Injured), Carrick
-- Catherine Bogart, NewJerseyDevils.com
