NEWARK, NJ -The Devils held a morning skate at the RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center Thursday afternoon before taking a bus to UBS Arena.
The team used the following workflow…
Zetterlund - Boqvist - Holtz
Wood - McLeod - Clarke
Foote - Talvitie - Halonen
Geertsen - Pinho - Bastian
Graves - Severson
Bahl - Smith
Okhotiuk - Nemec
The Devils used the following power play units:
Zetterlund, Boqvist, Holtz, Wood, Severson
Bastian, Foote, Pinho, Clarke, Nemec
Swedish House Mafia
The Devils are forming an all-Swedish line against the Islanders with Fabian Zetterlund, Jesper Boqvist and Alexander Holtz manning the top line duties.
It's an interesting configuration. All of them have great speed. In Zetterlund you have a forward that can check and play physical, while also score. Boqvist is a gifted playmaker at center. And Holtz is the quintessential finisher with his lethal shot. Add in the similar language and it could be a recipe for an effective trio.
"We have to make sure to work hard and do the right things," Boqvist said. "All of us have pretty good speed and work hard. We just have to keep it simple."
All three forwards are fighting for a spot in the Devils lineup, with none guaranteed a position. Zetterlund and Boqvist do not have options - meaning they would have to clear waivers if they were to be assigned to the American Hockey League. Holtz could be sent down and returned without fear of being lost.
Boqvist had his most productive season last year with career highs across the board in games played (56), goals (10), assists (13) and points (23). All 10 goals and 19 points came in his final 40 games.
So far in two preseason games, Boqvist has one assist and two shots.
"It's been a little bit up and down," he said of his camp. "I feel like I can do better. I always want to do better. It's fun being here again and it'll be a fun game tonight, too."
Final Looks
The Swedes aren't the only players who are trying to make a good impression with the preseason drawing to a close. The lineup is filled with players at forward and defense that are hoping to make their mark in what may be their last appearance.
"Every day I'm coming to rink and trying to show your best," said defenseman Nikita Okhotiuk, who is vying for a spot on the D corps. "I'm the type of person that, I'm pretty hard on myself and I'm basically never happy. I think I can do more every single day. I think every day is a new opportunity to show what I can do better."
"I think (camp) has gone really well," said forward Nolan Foote. "I really felt my off-season training really helped out a ton with my quickness and strength. I think continuing to show that I can use my size below both goal lines, use my body, protect pucks and create plays, also disrupt plays."
