With the Kraken Up Next, Devils Host Practice | NOTEBOOK

The Devils will host the Seattle Kraken tomorrow night and there remain a few question marks as Jack Hughes only participated in part of today's practice session.
The tempo at practice was high, with five-on-five work at the forefront as the club looks to rectify the mistakes they made against the Vancouver Canucks earlier this week.
"We gave up some rush opportunities last game, so we wanted to work on that part of the game five-on-five," head coach Lindy Ruff said, "part of it was our offensive play and where we are going to get to."
The team was back on the ice after a late afternoon practice yesterday, the club practiced on Tuesday at 5 p.m. as they later hosted the marquee Sweep the Deck event in benefit of the Devils Youth Foundation. Ruff was on-hand alongside his players for the event, part of the mixing and mingling with fans. What stood out the most for him from those interactions?
"Just hearing the comments about what a great group we have," he shared, "I think more than being an athlete, it's when somebody walks up to you and says your guys are some of the nicest guys, That really puts a smile on a coach's face."

Wait and See

After a day off on Tuesday with upper-body soreness, Devils star Jack Hughes made a brief appearance at today's practice session. AT the moment, Lindy Ruff's only update on the star forward is a wait-and-see when it comes to tomorrow's game against the Kraken.
When it came time for line rushes today, it was Jesper Boqvist who was the placeholder for Hughes, flanked by Yegor Sharangovich and Fabian Zetterlund.

You Better Work

Zetterlund re-entered the lineup in Nashville against the Predators on January 26. He hadn't played at that point since January 10, having been a healthy scratch for six consecutive games. Lindy Ruff spoke, at the time, about needing more from all his players and not being content with "just being in the lineup". It was a message to players like Zetterlund, and one he took seriously. He put in the added work and waited for his opportunity, one he seems dead focused on not relinquishing any time soon.
"I work every day for it," the 23-year-old shared, "I want to be a better player every day. You can't talk (about it). The only thing you can do is just to keep working, on all those little details, stay out (on the ice) a little bit longer, get on a little earlier, work on your shot, work on your speed, and all those kind of things."

Zetterlund is frequently the first skater on the ice for a practice or morning skate and also one of the last players off, his words are also his actions.
In the last three games Zetterlund has returned to the lineup and placed in an important position as a winger to Jack Hughes, together with Sharangovich, the Swedish forward is trying to put all his assets to good use.
"We have speed, all of us three, everyone can score goals too and make plays," he said of the newly formed line. "We are kind of similar, but I try to be the more physical guy on that line, hold on to pucks, and create chances for those guys."
If Zetterlund is contributing and balancing out the second line, that's exactly what Lindy Ruff wants. Everyone pulling in the same direction and giving him the opportunity to run four lines throughout a game. That has been when the club has been at their most effective.
"It's been about the group the whole year, it isn't about the player," Ruff said "We've been effective four lines at different times, it's been a lot of different people who have helped us win hockey games. We need him to be a part of that, to do what he does best. When he brings it, it's an effective element for our hockey club."

Vitek Pays Homage

Nearly always the first on the ice, Vitek Vanecek had a bit of a different look this morning. He was rocking a brand new mask, one he's waited for for a while. The artist Vanecek worked with is David Gunnarsson and together they put together a goalie mask that pays homage to the past.

"I'm really happy I can wear it, they're both legends," Vanecek said, holding his new mask, "I'm really happy I can wear it, but I'm thinking to wear it a couple of games, then have them sign it. Then I will put it somewhere at home, it will be really nice for me."
Vanecek said he'll likely only wear the mask for four or five games before retiring it to his home, but in the meantime, he's extremely happy with the way it turned out.
He also wanted to make it very clear that he did ask for permission from both Martin Brodeur and Chico to use different elements of their prior masks before giving it his blessing to go ahead. Both former players gave him the go-ahead and the result is this gorgeous new goalie mask.

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