Devils Daily: Ruff Changes Tune; Askarov Changing Preds NHL Trade Deadline Plans

The New Jersey Devils collected a crucial two points last night against the Montreal Canadiens. The Detroit Red Wings didn’t help much, winning a big game themselves 6-1 vs. the St. Louis Blues. And the Tampa Bay Lightning? They downed the New York Islanders 4-2.

The Devils remain five points out of the Wild Card and are chasing the Lightning at this point. That makes this afternoon’s contest all the more important as they host Tampa Bay in the second half of a back-to-back.

The media is scheduled to speak with head coach Lindy Ruff at 11 A.M.

Speaking of Ruff, the Devils’ head coach modified his criticism of the media on Saturday ahead of the Devils’ victory over the Canadiens.

Elsewhere, lots of NHL trade discussions including Philly potentially trading a whole defense pair, Pittsburgh potentially moving a goaltender, and how the Nashville goaltending situation is making for an intriguing trade deadline.

Let’s do that hockey.

Devils News

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils head coach Lindy Ruff modifies his media criticism from Thursday night. “It’s nothing to do with you guys.”

More NJHN: Timo Meier came up big in the Devils’ 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Read up on the takeaways.

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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): One bold prediction for each team ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline.

Sportsnet: Following their third straight loss, the Edmonton Oilers need to get back to basics. ‘We have to learn.’

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Sportsnet and HNIC reporter Elliotte Friedman rattled off a handful of teams interested in Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel. He also confirmed that teams believe a Penguins’ goalie will be available on the NHL trade block, too.

Colorado Hockey Now: Auston Matthews and Nathan Mackinnon have been two of the NHL’s best players this season. Does the Hart Trophy race stop at those two?

NYI Hockey Now: Interestingly enough, one of the things that’s slowing down the Devils in the Eastern Conference playoff race is also slowing down the New York Islanders. The power play.

Philly Hockey Now: According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman (and Jeff Marek!), teams are again calling the Philadelphia Flyers about trading for Nick Seeler and Sean Walker as a pair.

Nashville Hockey Now: The play of Yaroslav Askarov has certainly made Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz change his tune on Juuse Saros. As a result, the rookie is making Nashville’s trade deadline outlook quite interesting.

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