Blandisi targets roster spot on improved Devils

NEWARK, N.J. — Life in the NHL was a breeze for forward Joseph Blandisi of the New Jersey Devils, or so it seemed.

Playing in his fourth career NHL game last season after his second call-up from Albany of the American Hockey League, Blandisi was a plus-1 in the Devils’ 2-1 win against the Minnesota Wild on Jan. 10, impressing coach John Hynes with his confidence, puck poise and compete level in 14:50 of ice time. He had a stretch of 10 points in 10 games and scored five goals with 14 points (four on the power play) in 18 games, stepping in for injured forward Michael Cammalleri.

Suddenly, Blandisi flamed out. He went the final 23 games without a goal, had no points in his last nine and finished with five goals, 17 points and a minus-14 rating in 41 games. He learned that playing in the NHL wasn’t Albany, and it was imperative to change his sleeping habits and eating patterns, so he made a commitment to take better care of himself.

“I realize when you come up here, how every day you have to be ready and prepared, and you have to treat your body the right way over the course of the season,” Blandisi said July 14 following an off-ice workout at Devils development camp. “I kind of fell off the map a little bit at the end of the year, so I think this year I know what it’s going to take to keep my body healthy and be prepared for the end of the season.”

Blandisi, 22, is determined to help improve the Devils offense, which finished 30th in goals per game (2.22) last season, but it will be a challenge to break training camp on the opening …

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