Rookie Jesper Bratt likely to play on Saturday for Devils
The Devils are likely to have invaluable – at even strength and on special teams – rookie Jesper Bratt back in the lineup on Saturday night against the Blackhawks at Prudential Center (Faceoff: 7 p.m.; Television: MSG Plus; Radio: digital One Jersey Network).
Bratt missed Thursday’s exciting 4-3, four-round shootout win over the Rangers, pushing the first-place Devils to 3-0-0 on this season-high six-game homestand, after taking a shot off his ankle in Monday’s emotional 5-3 win over the Ducks and the returning ex-fan favorite Adam Henrique. Bratt even scored a crucial third-period goal in that game.
Bratt skated on his own but did not practice with the team on Wednesday and only worked off-ice on Thursday.
But he was a full participant in today’s high-energy and brisk, 25-minute practice at Barnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center and coach John Hynes said the expectation is that Bratt will be able to rejoin the lineup.
“It’s nice to see him back and see him recovered so quickly,” Hynes said. “He had a good day today. He had a full practice and things all look good but we’re going to give him a little light skate again tomorrow morning and make sure everything is good. If he’s good to go, we’ll play him. It looks that way but we’ll let you know for sure tomorrow.”
Devils top Rangers, 4-3, in shootout thriller
Devils 4, Rangers 3 (SO): Post-game observations
Devils Daily Faceoff: Three storylines for Dec. 22
The Devils did not conduct line drills during Friday’s practice and Hynes did not address where Bratt might slip back into the lineup – or who might come out.
Without Bratt, the lines in Thursday’s game were:
Taylor Hall-Nico Hischier-Kyle Palmieri
Marcus Johansson-Travis Zajac-Brian Gibbons
Miles Wood-Pavel Zacha-Drew Stafford
Blake Coleman-Brian Boyle-Stefan Noesen
“I think today was pretty good,” Bratt said. “I felt pretty good out there so we’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow. There was no special pain or anything so we’ll see what’s happening tomorrow. It’s always tough to miss games. I think my legs were fresh today and I felt pretty ready for tomorrow.
“There was pain in my foot (after Monday’s game) and I had a tough time skatings, that’s why I was missing practice,” Bratt added.
Thursday was the first game the 19-year-old Bratt, a sixth-round pick in 2016, has missed as he has 10 goals and 13 assists in 33 games.
“It was terrible,” Bratt said of missing the one game. “I hate to watch games and I think everyone does. To just be up in the stands and watching games is tough. You want to be out there and help the team to win. Of course it’s nice of the team to get a win there but I much more wanted to be on the ice and help the team win.”
Bratt finished Monday’s game after briefly heading to the Devils’ room after being hit in the skate.
“It felt OK during the game,” Bratt said. “During the game, you’re so into the game you don’t even think about it. It was more after the game.”
Hynes said, in the case of ankle issues, it’s often easier to visually tell whether a player is ready to return to the lineup.
“You can see,” Hynes said. “You can see how they push off, how they stop and start.
“It’s really a combination of the most important feedback, which is what the player gives you, but, in this case, you also have the visual,” Hynes added.
***
Here are the different ways to follow The Record and NorthJersey.com’s multi-media Devils’ coverage this season:
Twitter: Follow me
@AGrossRecord and The Record @TheRecordSports
Web: NorthJersey.com/sports/devils
Blog: NorthJersey.com/blog/fireandice
App: “Fire and Ice” available in app stores for iPhone and Android