NEWARK, NJ - After winning back-to-back games this past weekend, the Devils have a stiff test tonight against a Boston Bruins team that may seem ripe for the picking with 10 players out due to injury and only one win in their last six but head coach John Hynes cautioned against thinking that it won't be a tough test tonight.
"Teams go through that, ups and downs, but they're one of, if not the best team in the NHL. They have great players, great depth. Regardless of who's in their lineup, I think that their organizational depth is very good," Hynes began. "They play to a certain identity. It seems as though whoever they put in the lineup finds ways to be able to contribute. A lot of times when teams have players missing you don't change your system for that.
"As far as coaching and playing the Bruins, you gotta be prepared to play your best game."
TONIGHT'S LINEUP
As far as lineup changes, the team will go with the same lineup as Montreal with the exception of Sami Vatanen returning to play his first game since being injured early in Edmonton back on November 8. Matt Tennyson draws out for number 45.
Coach Hynes was asked what the Devils defenseman needs to do in his return to the lineup.
"Just pick up where he left off," he said. "He's had enough time to practice and get himself back."
With eight points in 15 games, Vatanen leads all Devils blueliners in points despite the missed time.
"He's defending really well, he's had a lot of tough matchups. The way he's run the power play when he's back there has been excellent."
The forward lines and defense pairings are expected to be as follows:
Hall - Hischier - Bratt
Wood - Hughes - Palmieri
Coleman - Zajac - Gusev
Hayden - Zacha - Simmonds
Greene - Severson
Butcher - Subban
Mueller - Vatanen
BLACKWOOD STARTS AGAIN
Mackenzie Blackwood gets the start in goal after shining in back-to-back games this past weekend. He was asked about how he was able to stay sharp despite the tight turnaround.
"Just had to come out the same way I did the night before. It's another hockey game. You just have to get the best sleep you can and no matter how you feel, you're ready for the game," Blackwood began, adding that it wasn't so much the physical exhuastion that makes back-to-backs difficult for goaltenders.
"Physically, not much. I've been trying to stay in shape but mentally, learning about the League, managing your emotions, the ups and downs of the season. I think I've done a decent job."
Coach Hynes was very happy with the way his goaltender played in a challenging situation.
"It was a great effort. He was a big reason we won teh game against Pittsburgh. It's nice to see him respond less than 24 hours later, pay in back-to-back games and come up with big saves," Hynes noted.
"There really wasn't a concern physically with him, it was more the mental prepration of coming off the win, putting the win behind you then getting ready to play against Montreal.
RESPONSE NEEDED
Key to the game tonight, according to Hynes, is the team needing to come out with a strong effort to build off the previous two wins.
"We came off the Carolina win and Winnipeg win and then played parts of the Calgary game well. Came off the road trip with a big win in Vancouver but weren't where we needed to be against Ottawa."
-- Marc Ciampa, NewJerseyDevils.com
