New Jersey Devils Split Squad Faces Mixed Results in Preseason Action

New Jersey Devils played two preseason games yesterday, Sunday, September 28, 2025. Both were part of a split-squad matchup. The New Jersey Devils opened their 2025 preseason with a split-squad strategy on Sunday, September 28, taking on the Washington Capitals at Prudential Center in Newark and the Ottawa Senators in Quebec City. The approach provided an opportunity to evaluate depth across the roster, giving younger and fringe players valuable ice time while testing combinations ahead of the regular season.

In Newark, the home squad fought back from an early 2-0 deficit against Washington, powered by goals from Nico Hischier and Shane LaChance in the third period to force a shootout. Despite the strong comeback, the Capitals ultimately secured a 3-2 victory, leaving the Devils with a mix of optimism and frustration. The team showcased glimpses of their top-end talent, particularly the chemistry between Hischier and Jack Hughes, as well as impressive puck possession from LaChance, Matyas Melovsky, and Lenni Hämeenaho. Jacob Markström and Nico Daws shared goaltending duties, with Daws seeing action during key moments of the comeback.

Meanwhile, the Devils’ second squad traveled to Quebec City to face the Senators and struggled to generate offensive momentum. Despite Georgi Romanov’s strong performance in goal, New Jersey fell 2-0. The team’s forwards were hampered by inconsistent passing and difficulty sustaining pressure in the offensive zone, while the defense was frequently tested by Ottawa’s speed and precise shooting. Dawson Mercer and Evgenii Dadonov led the attack, but scoring chances were limited, highlighting areas that require improvement before the season begins.

Analyzing the games, the Newark group demonstrated resilience and skill under pressure, particularly during power plays and critical late-game shifts. Shane LaChance’s goal following a power play exemplified the energy and determination of players looking to make an impression on the coaching staff. In Quebec, Romanov was a standout, keeping the Devils competitive despite limited support, while other players struggled to maintain consistency across shifts.

From a roster perspective, Sunday provided insight into the team’s organizational depth. The Devils’ lineup against Washington featured established NHL contributors such as Hischier, Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and Ondřej Palát, alongside younger players like LaChance, Melovsky, and Hämeenaho earning key minutes. The Ottawa game allowed prospects and depth players to test their skills at the professional level, with Romanov, Dadonov, and Mercer highlighting the potential impact of the organization’s up-and-coming talent.

Overall, the split-squad approach allowed head coach to evaluate players across different scenarios, emphasizing both skill development and situational hockey. The strong individual performances in Newark suggest potential contributors for early-season roster spots, while the struggles in Quebec offer clear areas for tactical adjustment and player development. With the regular season fast approaching, the Devils will look to integrate these insights into training camp, fine-tuning lines and defensive strategies while continuing to monitor emerging talent. 

• Game 1 (Home): The Devils hosted the Washington Capitals at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, losing 3-2 in a shootout. New Jersey fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the third period with goals from Nico Hischier and Shane Lachance.
• Game 2 (Away): The other squad of Devils played the Ottawa Senators at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, QC, losing 2-0. 

Here are the results of both games:

Here are the players who participated in each game:

Devils Home Game vs. Washington Capitals 

Devils Away Game vs. Ottawa Senators 

For detailed coverage of the New Jersey Devils’ preseason schedule, roster updates, and in-depth analysis of player performances, visit Explore New Jersey Devils.