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MORNING SKATE REVIEW

NEWARK, NJ – Since the Devils hosted the Utah Hockey Club on Monday afternoon, the team did not hold a morning skate. Head coach Sheldon Keefe addressed the media before puck drop. Here are the key takeaways from this session.

Goalkeeper split

Keefe confirmed that Jake Allen will start against Utah. The Devils will play at Carolina on Tuesday night and due to the back-to-back situation, the club wanted to use both goaltenders.

“Since it's back-to-back games here and we're playing Carolina tomorrow, we're going to use both guys,” Keefe said. “It just made sense for us to give Markstrom the extra day of rest.”

Shutdown pair

The Devils have used defensemen Jonas Siegenthaler and Johnathan Kovacevic in a shutdown-like role in the first few games of this season. They logged the most minutes for the team in Washington while keeping their opponents under control.

“These guys were so consistent in their play. It was great,” Keefe said. “Kovacevic is starting again here and taking advantage of every opportunity. He was just great for us. Victory, he was so strong defensively. I thought he got a little more involved in the offense last game and helped us get out of our zone, which was a really positive step as well.”

The Devils are currently short-handed with three blueliners not currently on the roster: Brett Pesce (ankle), Luke Hughes (shoulder) and Santeri Hatakka (upper body).

“These guys have been really, really solid,” said Keefe, “at a time with the quality of players we have on the back end that we expected to be a big part of our team, we need others, that are stepping up and things like that. “Guys were definitely there.”

Shut down forward

Aside from defense, the Devils have used the trio of Tomas Tatar, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer as a break-off line against the opponent's most dangerous lines.

“Nico is known for that and he was so strong in the faceoff circle,” Keefe said. “And it’s about taking this responsibility seriously. Recognizing that it's part of his job. Sometimes he gives up an attack to be in the right places and do a good job there. I think it's important for him to pick his spots.

“I liked that line in every single game we played. Even if they don’t score – which I believe they will – they give us very, very important minutes.”