Devils Practice in Pittsburgh | NOTEBOOK

The Devils are practicing Monday afternoon at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

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

Practice Info

The Devils had all expected players on the ice for practice, as well as center Erik Haula (ankle). Haula hasn't played since Jan. 5, but he centered a line of Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer.

The practice setup was more because there is only one practice left heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

“Practicing today was more so forecasting the rest of the week,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “His target was more later in the week, but we’ll see. I thought he looked really good. He looked like he pushed himself quite hard so we’ll see where he’s at.”

Growing

The Devils were 7-2-1 heading into the holiday break and were arguably playing the best hockey in the league at that time.

However, coming out of the break the team has gone 6-7-3 and hasn’t been able to find the same level of consistency in its play.

“We’re just looking for consistency like we had before Christmas,” veteran forward Ondrej Palat said. “We just need to be better.”

Searching for consistency is part of the team’s overall growth as an organization.

“We’re a team that’s got to grow. We’re growing,” Keefe said. “This team made the playoffs twice in the last 12 years, once in the last six. This is a team that’s growing. We took big steps before Christmas and started to scratch the surface of being a good team. This last little stretch shows that we’re not there.

“That’s on me to keep pushing the group and challenge the group. It’s on the players individually to grow and mature in their game. And for us to bring greater urgency to the situation, get our game back on track and find that consistency.”

The Devils last eight losses have all been by one goal (if you subtract empty-net goals), and that includes three games that ended in overtime or a shootout.

“We’re very close to being a very good team, but we’re not there,” Keefe said. “Let’s keep working. Let’s stay committed to it and respect the game and the process of being a good team.

“That’s what today’s message was about. That’s been our message all season but it was put more sternly and directly today. It’s on the players and myself to keep this moving in the right direction.”

Put 'Em In Coach

Goaltender Nico Daws was recalled by the club on Saturday. He was expecting to backup start Jake Allen Sunday in Buffalo. But after Allen experienced some “tightening” after the second period, the Devils turned to Daws to handle the third period.

“You try to stay in it even when you’re playing as much as you can,” Daws said. “It’s your job to be ready at all times. When you get in there you just work as hard as you can and hope you get a couple good warmup shots.”

Daws used the second intermission to prep as if it were pre-game.

“I was able to warmup my eyes in intermission (with juggling),” he said. “I felt pretty fresh. I tried to treat it like the beginning of the game for myself and go from there.”

Daws stopped all seven shots he faced in the final period.

“It felt nice," Daws said. "You’re never really ready for that but you try to stay as prepared as you can. It felt good.”

He Said It:

Keefe on improving face offs: "It goes to show how important (Erik) Haula and Nico (Hischier) are to us in that regard. ... We’d like to do a better job there. It’s an area of attention. It’s a three- to five-man task to help in that regard. If that’s going to be a challenge for us then the things that happen after the face off, we better be dialed in. We better value those pucks and those defensive assignments because that’s how you overcome it.”

He Said It 2:

Nico Daws on his first career road win taking place in Pittsburgh: “I remember. That was three years ago. I remember I was pretty nervous playing against (Sidney) Crosby and (Evgeni) Malkin. Anytime you get to be in the NHL it’s a dream come true. I’ve played a fair share of games here now, but I never take it for granted."

He Said It 3:

Dawson Mercer on playing in his 300^th NHL game: “It goes by quick. Fourth year already and 300 games. Then you see guys like Palat (800) and Tatar (900) hitting their milestones and how much further ahead they are. It’s a great accomplishment for me.”