Emotional Stakes
Beyond the lineup, the Devils know the emotional stakes of the night are real. A three day break follows, and the difference between going into it with a win or a loss can linger.
“We’ve got three days to think about this game,” defenseman Brenden Dillon said. “A win, you’re in good spirits. A loss, you’re wanting the next game to come right away. With how things have gone the last couple weeks, we’re trying to build momentum, and if we have a slip up, we want to fix it right away and not let it snowball.”
Dillon was quick to stress that recent returns to the lineup do not change the responsibility of the group as a whole.
“The three guys aren’t going to win the hockey game for us,” he said. “They’re three really important players and we want them in the lineup, but at the end of the day it’s a team game. We have to go out there and earn the two points.”
Stopping Barzal
That mindset mirrors Keefe’s own message. With the Islanders featuring dynamic players like Barzal, discipline and structure will be essential.
“Top players like that play a little bit outside the structure,” Keefe said. “They play on instincts, and it can be hard to predict. For us, it’s trying to keep the puck out of his hands, and if he gets it, protect the good ice, put him into bad spots, and outnumber him. You also have to be aware of the people away from him because he’s so good at drawing coverage and moving it.”
Keefe noted the Devils see similar challenges daily in practice.
“We have guys like Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt who play very similarly,” he said. “So we talk about it often when we’re playing against top guys like that.”
Rest Over Practice
As the season’s pace has taken its toll, the upcoming break is welcomed. Keefe acknowledged the grind, especially with the injuries New Jersey has navigated.
“It’s been a condensed schedule and it adds up,” he said. “We’ve asked a lot of guys to play big minutes. We’ve practiced very little this season, the least I ever have as a coach, because you’re opting for rest to keep guys fresh.”
For Brown, the objective is simple.
“At this point it’s pretty clear what the performance needs to look like and what our identity needs to look like,” he said. “It’s just important getting into it right away.”
Dillon framed it in even more direct terms.
“They’re a team we’re going to be battling with all the way to the end,” he said. “It’s a good test. We have to want it more tonight and earn our break.”
