NEWARK, NJ - After a three-day holiday break, the Devils were back on the ice this morning in preparation for a tough test against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"Three full days, actually. It was nice," said Devils interim head coach Alain Nasreddine. "We've talked about style of play for awhile now. Everything worked out that last game and it was three days where we were able to enjoy a big win."
Early in Monday's game in Chicago, Jesper Boqvist got injured but he said he was ready to go tonight. In a weird twist of fate, his brother, Adam Boqvist also left the game early. His family was at the game watching, in from Sweden, to add to the dramatics.
"What are the odds? It's crazy. He will be fine, too, so it's all good," Boqvist said this morning.
Jesper also added that it was funny how the high-sticking penalty he received in the opening minute was due to get a stick up on his brother.
"A little too pumped to win that battle, I guess," Boqvist said. "It was pretty funny that it was on him but bad penalty, though."
Nasreddine confirmed Boqvist's return to the lineup.
"It was precautionary after last game. He had a couple of stitches and he'll be back in the lineup"
Boqvist started Monday's game on the top line but that's where Jesper Bratt will now go. Boqvist finds his spot where Bratt was on line four:
Bratt - Hischier - Palmieri
Coleman - Zajac - Gusev
Wood - Hughes - Simmonds
Boqvist - Zacha/Rooney - Hayden
Greene - Subban
Butcher - Vatanen
Mueller - Severson
Mackenzie Blackwood gets the start in goal, with Gilles Senn backing up.
P.K. Subban talked about his improved play of late and the benefits of playing with team captain Andy Greene.
"He's an experienced guy. Playing with him, I know he's going to be in the right spot, be a guy that's back there, dealing with odd-man rushes and broken play situations," Subban said. "It's easier playing with him and my job is to make it easier for him, too."
Coach Nasreddine said he's noticed the improved play of Subban, who scored last game, but cautioned that the improvements he's seen were before the points have started to roll in.
"He's shooting the puck a lot more, he's taking charge and playing big minutes. He's more assertive on the offensive side of the puck. Was your shot a factor that night, that's what I look at every night."
ZACHA UPDATE
Pavel Zacha is slated to center the fourth line but he left morning skate early. He'll be a gametime decision.
"We'll look with the medical staff. It didn't feel right. Nothing major. We'll talk about it later."
-- Marc Ciampa, NewJerseyDevils.com
