TIME TO DIG DEEP

Lots to chat about as we get set here in OTT for another critical game, which the Devils will have to win without Jack, and now potentially Nico as well....

JACKLESS AGAIN
It is good to hear that the Devils don't think Jack is dealing with anything serious. It would be a tremendous downer for Jack if he couldn’t play in the remaining games for the Devils and then in the Olympics for USA, but it sounds like, fortunately, that won’t be the case. That would be an emotional blow that might take him a long time to recover from, so this is positive news.

Look no further than Marky last season as an example. He was having a start to the season that was Vezina-finalist caliber, and then missed 4 Nations due to injury. Since that point, he has been searching for his form and still to this day hasn’t found the consistency he had before that emotional downer. I hope from Marky’s perspective, going to the Olympics and being part of Team Sweden on the biggest stage will finally be the catalyst he’s been needing to find his form again.

NICO, BRATTER, & TIMO
When we learned Jack wouldn’t return in the NSH game, it was no surprise we saw Nico and Bratter, the longest-tenured duo on this team, take matters into their own hands in such a critical moment of the season. And based on the 30-40 game sample of games the Devils have played without Jack since last season, I would anticipate that Timo will lead the pack with Nico, and Bratter for as long as Jack is out. Hopefully, the Captain is good to go tonight...

RETURN OF THE GLASS
The good news is that Glasser will return to the lineup tonight. Entering the WPG game, which he left injured in the 2nd period after blocking a shot, he had 6 Goals in his last 8 GP (6-3–9 PTS), with five of those six goals coming at 5v5. The Devils desperately need him in the lineup when they're fully healthy, let alone with Jack and potentially Nico out tonight. So, this is a nice breath of fresh air among all the tough news.

BACK IN THE ABC LINE’S BIRTHPLACE
Regardless of the fact that the ABC line isn’t fully together tonight, I hope Arseny, Brownie, and Cody are feeling the confidence from the monster games they had last time out in this building, because the Devils desperately need another one from them tonight!

VINTAGE DOUGIE
The mental fortitude that Dougie has been able to display in this 9-game heater since his healthy scratch has been impressive. The way he’s been able to distance himself from all the trade rumors and elevate his play during the process tells you a lot about his character and why he’s been a successful pro in this league for the last 14 seasons. We’ll talk more about Dougie during tonight’s pregame show and his 9-game point streak, the longest active streak of any player!

ULLMARK'S RETURN
Regardless of what the Devils' lineup looks like tonight, starting on time is an absolute non-negotiable. You should be expecting the Sens to come out and play their best first period of the season, with it being Ullmark's first game back from personal leave (since Dec. 27).

SENS GETTING HOT
Taking a look at some of OTT's trends in their recent stretch of games, what jumps off the page is the fact that the Sens are arguably the most dangerous 5v5 team in the league over their last 8 GP, as their 27 Goals at 5v5 and +12 5v5 Goal DIFF are both tied for the best. Combine that with the fact they've scored 10 (!) 5v5 Goals in their last two games alone – against each of the Western Conference division leaders (VGK and COL), nonetheless — and boy, this is setting up to be a tough game for the Devils.

For a team already struggling at 5v5, and now missing Jack and maybe Nico as well, you have to come ready to outcompete the Sens, or you’re going to get buried. It's as simple as that.