Devils Lindy Ruff Teases Lines vs. Lightning

NEWARK — Saturday’s New Jersey Devils victory against the Montreal Canadiens didn’t start the way it ended.

Head coach Lindy Ruff opted for a new look with the forward group that we haven’t traditionally seen before. Notably, Tyler Toffoli dropped down to the third line with Timo Meier and Chris Tierney. That saw Dawson Mercer move up to Jack Hughes’ wing alongside Jesper Bratt. However, Ruff put the lines in a blender midway through the game propelling the Devils to victory. As a result, Ruff hinted this morning that those are likely the lines we’ll see this afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a crucial matchup.

Saturday’s Mid-Game Forward Group Shuffle

Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt

Tyler Toffoli – Jack Hughes – Dawson Mercer

Ondrej Palat – Erik Haula – Curtis Lazar

Brendan Smith – Chris Tierney – Alexander Holtz

Following the change, Brendan Smith didn’t receive a lick of ice time in the second and third period of Saturday’s contest. As for Tierney and Alexander Holtz, neither played in the third period. Ruff explained that although they didn’t play, they will be important on Sunday against Tampa.

“I think we’re going to need more bodies tomorrow on the back-to-back,” Ruff explained Saturday night. “So those guys that didn’t play as much, they need to be an important piece tomorrow for us.”

On Sunday ahead of the Devils hosting the Lightning, Ruff explained the lines we saw in the later half of Saturday’s game are likely what we will see today.

“Yeah, for sure,” Ruff shortly answered to New Jersey Hockey Now when asked if the second-half success of Saturday’s game factors into Sunday’s deployment.

Saturday’s game was one in which the Devils’ biggest stars came through. All of Meier, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt scored crucial goals in crucial moments. Ruff is looking for the front-loaded group of forwards to ride that wave of momentum into Sunday afternoon in chasing down the Lightning directly in the standings.

“We know how important (today’s) game is in the wildcard race, Ruff explained. “We know where (the Lightning) are in the wildcard race, we know where the team is when we in a divisional race when we’re chasing a team like Philly. So, we’re well aware of the teams around us that we need to get two points from.”

How to Watch

Time: 01:00 PM

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