On Sunday night, the New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/jack-hughes-passes-john-maclean-on-new-jersey-devils-all-time-list]will host the Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/] at Prudential Center for their first meeting of the 2024-25 season. New Jersey Has A Deep Offense The club held a morning skate at 10:30 a.m., during which the coaching staff debuted a change to their lineup. Dawson Mercer [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/new-jersey-devils-sheldon-keefe-nico-hischier-dawson-mercer-defensive-play], 23, will center the team's third line with Erik Haula [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-erik-haula-i-am-right-where-i-belong] and Tomas Tatar [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/nj-devils-new-jersey-devils-washington-capitals-tomas-tatar-sheldon-keefe-brenden-dillon] on his wings. “We will see Mercer there a little bit today,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We are going to change that up a little bit. But you’ll still see Haula in the middle at different times, faceoffs, and things like that. Just wanted to change it up a little bit." "We have been wanting to get Mercer some looks in the middle of the ice," Keefe continued "I know he’s done that here previously, not in my time and not in recent years consistently, but we want to see what that looks like and see if getting him in the middle of the ice can help that group and help them get through the neutral zone and stuff like that.” This season, Mercer has taken 16 face-offs (43.8%). "Maybe a small change can shake it up a bit," the Bay Roberts native said. "So we are looking to have a different approach to it, and, hopefully, for the benefit, a positive." Mercer has spent time playing with Haula, so has he picked up any tricks from the veteran who has taken 327 draws through 29 games? "We have been practicing that for a while now, over the years," Mercer said. I know I haven't taken much lately, but there are definitely pointers and reasons that we have all learned from previous players and players who have been with us, so it has been good." The Devils are projected to use the following lineup against the Avalanche: Ondrej Palat - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Stefan Noesen Erik Haula - Dawson Mercer - Tomas Tatar Paul Cotter - Justin Dowling - Nathan Légaré Brenden Dillon - Dougie Hamilton Jonas Siegenthaler - Johnathan Kovacevic Luke Hughes - Brett Pesce Keefe confirmed Jake Allen will start in the net, with Jacob Markstrom serving as the backup. Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-jesper-bratt-alexander-holtz-nico-hischier-andy-sward] EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/exclusive-q-a-with-msg-networks-host-analyst-rachel-herzog-new-jersey-devils] Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied]' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied] S [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/seamus-casey-scores-first-nhl-goal-in-new-jersey-devils-global-series-finale]eamus Casey Scores First NHL Goal In Devils Global Series Finale [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/seamus-casey-scores-first-nhl-goal-in-new-jersey-devils-global-series-finale]
