Back-to-Back | NOTEBOOK

The Devils are practicing the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House inside Prudential Center on Monday afternoon. It's the first time since training camp that the club has practiced on two consecutive days. Following practice they'll leave for a two-game road trip of back-to-back games starting in Toronto Tuesday night.

Stay tuned to the notebook for the latest info, updates, interviews, videos and more from the practice session!

Practice Details

The Devils started practice with a split squad. The forwards hit the main ice while the defensemen and goaltenders started on the practice ice.

After 15 minutes, the forwards joined the rest of the group on the practice ice to finish out practice.

Center Cody Glass, who was held out of Sunday’s practice, joined the group for today’s practice session. Injured defenseman Johnny Kovacevic and forward Marc McLaughlin also took part in practice.

White Out

The Devils were plagued with a rash of injuries, particularly on the blue line. As such, an opportunity arose for defenseman Colton White as he was recalled to the NHL from Utica of the American Hockey League.

Upon his arrival, the coaching staff had a direct message to the 28-year-old defenseman.

“My first conversation with him when he got here when he was going to go in,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said, “was that we need a guy that was going to simplify the game, keep it in front of him, protect our net, give other guys a rest.”

Through 18 games this season, White has four assists and a plus-7. In the past 12 games, his plus-9 is leading the entire team.

So, I guess he heeded the words of his head coach.

“To me, he’s done that. He’s played a very steady game,” Keefe said. “He’s defensively sound. He’s got a great stick. His body position is good.

“From what we’ve asked of him, he’s delivered.”

Prior to this season, White last saw action in the NHL during the 2022-23 season with Anaheim. After spending the past two full seasons in the AHL, he got back into the Show this year.

“It’s a privilege to be in the league. I was gone for a long so that’s why I’m still trying to keep the same mindset and do the best I can every day,” White said. “It’s been really helpful to get a steady, consistent rhythm of playing. You get more confidence each time you go out, whether it’s practice or a game. I’m just trying to take it day-by-day still.”

White recently appeared in his 100^th career NHL game. He’s been paired lately with veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon, who hit the 1,000-game mark on Dec. 1.

“He talks a lot on the ice, which is very helpful,” White said of Dillon. “Whether he wants the puck or he’s telling you to go on a certain defensive play. On the bench he’s really helpful and vocal. Off the ice too he’s been great. If I have any questions I can go to him.”

While White has enjoyed his time in the NHL, he knows that nothing should be taken for granted. If he is to stay at this level, he needs to improve his game.

“Making sure the foundation of my game is strong defensively and not letting people behind me, whether it’s good box outs and that sort of thing,” he said. “Then gaining more confidence with the puck, whether it’s breakouts or transition plays.”

Back-to-Back

The Devils are head to Toronto to face the Leafs on Tuesday night. That will be the first end of a back-to-back with the team traveling to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets on Wednesday New Year’s Eve night.

“The second half of the season, the division on our side is very tight,” forward Dawson Mercer said. “We want to make sure we get as many points as we can. They all add up at the end of the day and they’re all very important. These two games right now, back-to-back, will be super important.”

He Said It:

Keefe on Jack Hughes not taking faceoffs: “It is part of easing him back in. It’s not a physical thing. He’s physically capable of it. It’s more of a mental piece. He’s a guy that doesn’t take a lot of faceoffs even when he’s fully healthy. He’s getting back into it here now … As far as when he’ll take faceoffs, I’m hoping sooner than later. I think when he’s confident and comfortable to be able to take them on.”