Rematch
The Devils last played the Islanders in the final game before the holiday break. New Jersey suffered a 2-1 loss in that contest at UBS Arena.
The area the Devils want to clean up from that previous loss is their play against the Islanders’ rush, especially their work in the neutral zone.
“We have to be tight through the neutral zone,” forward Jesper Bratt said. “Not let their skill guys skate through the neutral zone too easily on us. Come back and stop in D zone. That’s something new talked about.”
“The way we handle the neutral zone will be huge tonight and not giving pucks back to them for free,” defenseman Brett Pesce said. “Getting pucks in when the time is right and simplifying.”
While the neutral zone play was a factor, the real issue for the Devils was their play in the offensive zone that led to the Islanders’ transition game.
“The one that stands out that ultimately cost us the game,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said referring to New York’s winning goal. “But there were a couple others of them getting in behind us coming out of the offensive zone which was a little more related to puck play and some turnovers where they got behind us pretty quick.”
All that being said, it was a very evenly played game. The Islanders’ first goal came on an unfortunate bounce and fluky result as goalie Jacob Markstrom tried to play a puck in the corner that ricocheted off defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler and to Simon Holmstrom. If not for that, the result may have been different.
“I thought we had more than enough scoring opportunities. Had some advantages in terms of the quality of chances that we had,” Keefe said. “We just have to execute a little bit more when we get those looks. They’re not easy to come by. In term, we have to make it harder for them to get to our net.
“The recipe and the plan for us doesn’t really change. We have to find a way to create some offense and get some stuff happening at their net and win the special teams battle.”
Breakout Stars
The Islanders will be without the dynamic talents of Bo Horvat, who is the club’s goals and points leader.
“He’s a special player,” Pesce said. “But they have a ton of other skill. Can’t take them too lightly with him out. They have a ton of weapons so we have to be ready.”
One of those is breakout rookie sensation Matthew Scheafer.
“He seems like he’s going to be a generational guy for sure,” Pesce said. “Eighteen years old and the fact that we’re talking about him in the pre-scout is crazy. He’s a baby. But not many guys can skate like him and move the puck so smoothly. He seems to make all the right plays. He’s definitely a factor that we have to watch out for tonight.”
Schaefer has 12 goals and 28 points with a plus-8 on the season in 42 games. The No. 1-overall pick in last year’s draft, Schaefer has logged 23:50 minutes of ice while being just 18 years old.
“When you have a player like that that stands out so much with a particular skillset, that being his speed, it’s something you really have to manage and be aware of when he’s on the ice, and protect the good ice and have layers,” Keefe said. “We talk about him. Barzal is another guy that can create something from nothing with his speed and creativity. Those kinds of guys you touch on, but otherwise it’s pretty straight forward in terms of the plan and what you want to do. But you certainly have to be aware of the game breakers.”
