On Thursday night, the New Jersey Devils headed east to face their rival New York Rangers for what was basically their final true preseason contest, as head coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned most of their starters will sit for Saturday’s finale in Philly. Regardless of some rocky moments, the Devils fought by means of and grinded out a 3-1 victory.
Associated: Devils Bringing Again Beer Stick for Choose Video games + New Meals Lineup
Fast Anecdote: Gradual Begin
Gradual begins have plagued the Devils in current seasons, and after they dominated puck possession for the primary half of the opening body, that they had nothing going for them. That they had simply six pictures after two intervals regardless of 13 scoring possibilities: a results of lacking the online far too typically. (by way of Pure Stat Trick)
Cotter & Gritsyuk Connection
For the umpteenth time this camp, Arseny Gritsyuk confirmed he belongs within the NHL. First, he wired a fast shot off the crossbar with depraved velocity. A couple of minutes later, he used a burst of velocity to create a 2-on-1 rush, the place Rangers defenseman Scott Morrow clearly needed to respect his deadly shot, drawing in direction of Gritsyuk. In flip, Gritsyuk turned Morrow right into a pretzel with an ideal feed to Paul Cotter, who buried it.
“I believe that [Gritsyuk]’s going to be such an incredible participant on this league,” mentioned Cotter. “His on a regular basis strategy is ‘How can I get higher?’ and positivity…it’s enjoyable to play with a man who has that means to be taught, but in addition has confidence and talent, and he’s not afraid to make use of it. I imply, we’re the fourth line on the market, nevertheless it doesn’t appear to be it with the way in which he’s making performs.”
Jacob Markstrom Robust
Preseason needs to be taken with a grain of salt, however Jacob Markstrom has appeared stable in each look he’s made. It was no totally different tonight, as he stopped 19 of 20 (.950%), together with two key excessive hazard saves late.
The lone objective he gave up was an unavoidable freak accident as a Simon Nemec clearing try ricocheted off Adam Edstrom and thru Markstrom’s 5 gap. No goaltender within the league may have reacted fast sufficient. However he didn’t let that shake him in any way; as an alternative, he acquired stronger. The superior numbers backed up his stellar play, as he stopped +0.45 objectives above anticipated.
Eddy finds the again of the online. pic.twitter.com/OiPRd1YeRm
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 3, 2025
Simon Nemec‘s (Largely) Dominant Evening
It’s a borderline crime that Simon Nemec solely had one level tonight — that’s how efficient he was. He was assured and poised in all three zones, and at instances, appeared head and shoulders above the remaining.
Sadly, the obvious mistake is what’s going to stick to most individuals, however the numbers are plain. When Nemec was on the ice, the Devils out chanced the Rangers 16-5, together with 7-3 in excessive hazard possibilities. Final yr’s Nemec could have let a tricky second like that spiral uncontrolled, however he didn’t lose his swagger in any way.
He didn’t have a single giveaway in 23:13 of ice time. He additionally has not shied away from physicality all camp; there was even an occasion the place he acquired tousled with the 6-foot-9 Matt Rempe and didn’t again down.
“He’s been assertive and assured all camp and preseason right here,” mentioned head coach Sheldon Keefe. “It’s partially a mistake, partially unlucky, and a foul bounce that’s unlikely to happen once more. So I used to be completely happy that he dusted himself off fairly rapidly.”
Last Word: Brett Pesce Damage
Brett Pesce left the sport with an undisclosed harm and was not on the bench for everything of the third interval. Keefe mentioned postgame that there is no such thing as a replace and they’re awaiting phrase to seek out out whether or not he’ll miss any time.
The Devils will return to motion on Saturday as they hit the street to tackle the Philadelphia Flyers (12:30 PM EDT).
