The New Jersey Devils took a step closer to the regular season with a 3-1 victory over their cross-river rivals, the New York Rangers, at Madison Square Garden. This game, though important, wasn’t the final preseason game for the Devils. With one more preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, the team still has a final opportunity to fine-tune their lineup before the games truly count.
Jacob Markstrom’s Impressive Performance
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom played the full 60 minutes and showed why he’s a critical part of the Devils’ roster. Though the Rangers didn’t pepper him with high-danger shots, Markstrom was solid, making 19 saves on 20 attempts. The only blemish on his record was a fluke own goal, a rare miscommunication in what was an otherwise poised and steady performance. Markstrom’s calmness and quick reflexes when tested in key moments highlighted his readiness for the upcoming season.
Simon Nemec Shines Despite Mistake
Rookie defenseman Simon Nemec showed growth and promise despite a rough moment in the game. His turnover led to an own goal, but that mishap didn’t overshadow his strong overall performance. In over 20 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time, Nemec registered an Expected Goals For percentage (xGF%) of 73.37%, the second-highest on the team. He also recorded an assist on the power play, further proving his potential as a key player on the blue line this season. The turnover will serve as a learning experience, but Nemec’s positive contributions in other areas were clear.
Fourth Line Makes Its Mark
The fourth line was a major positive takeaway from the game. Paul Cotter opened the scoring after a nifty pass from Arseny Gritsyuk, capitalizing on a defensive error by Rangers’ Matt Rempe. Cotter’s goal highlighted the speed and creativity that the Devils’ bottom six can bring this season. Gritsyuk continued to impress, showing the skill and playmaking ability that make him an exciting prospect for the team.
While the top lines, including Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, and Evgenii Dadonov, struggled to create offense, the Devils’ depth shined. The third line, featuring Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier, was more effective, with Mercer adding an empty-net goal to seal the win. Ondrej Palat also contributed, scoring a power-play goal with a timely redirection in front of the net. It wasn’t the most dominant game for the top players, but the team’s depth proved effective in securing the win.
Injury Concerns for Brett Pesce
Brett Pesce’s early exit from the game in the second period raised some concerns. The Devils have yet to provide a specific update on his status, but any injury to Pesce would be a significant blow to their defense. Known for his toughness, Pesce has played through pain in the past, but with the regular season around the corner, his condition will be something to watch. If he does miss time, defensemen Seamus Casey or Dennis Cholowski could be called upon to fill in, but neither brings the same all-around game as Pesce.
Luke Glendening Pushing for a Spot
Veteran forward Luke Glendening, who is on a professional tryout (PTO) with the Devils, was another standout. Playing on the fourth line, Glendening posted a solid 60% Expected Goals For percentage and contributed to the team’s penalty kill unit. His physicality and defensive ability could be key for a bottom-six role, and with competition like Kevin Rooney and Juho Lammikko still trying to find their footing, Glendening could be making his case to stay with the team.
The Devils’ Forward Depth
The fourth line, featuring Gritsyuk, Cotter, and Glendening, is emerging as a potential strength. If they can develop more chemistry, this trio could be one of the most dynamic bottom lines the Devils have had in years. Their speed and skill would provide a huge asset, especially as the Devils push for depth scoring this season.
The third line, however, still raises some questions. While Cody Glass, Connor Brown, and Palat are solid defensively, they haven’t shown much offensive spark yet. If they can solidify their role as a shutdown unit, they’ll be valuable. But for the Devils to be successful, they will need more offensive output from that group as the season progresses.
Looking Ahead to the Regular Season
With one final preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, the Devils still have time to make adjustments and finalize their lineup. They’ve shown that they can win in different ways, whether it’s through depth scoring, solid goaltending, or strong defensive play. As the team prepares for the start of the regular season, the final tune-up against the Flyers will be a chance to address any lingering issues and make final roster decisions.
For more news and updates on the Devils as the regular season approaches, visit New Jersey Devils.
