Introduction
The New Jersey Devils preseason has been nothing but spectacular. After starting the preseason 2-0, the Devils kept the streak going. Traveling on the road to their cross-town rival New York Rangers, the team walked out of Manhattan with a 5-2 victory. It is encouraging so far as the team is nearing opening puck drop against the Philadelphia Flyers in just over two weeks.
There were some notable regulars held out of the lineup such as Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier (injury), Jesper Bratt, and Ondrej Palat. But they did have majority of their starting defense. New Jersey also got a second look at Vitek Vanecek in goal. Mackenzie Blackwood was supposed to get the start, but an illness has held him out for the game.
Game Summary
Early in the first period, it was the New York Rangers who got things started. Short-handed, a stretch pass found Adam Fox, walking in the zone on a two-on-one. Fox then found Chris Kreider on a cross-ice pass for the opening goal. However, it was the Devils who would respond and answer the bell.
On a four-on-four sequence, defenseman Dougie Hamilton found a streaking Miles Wood on a stretch pass that would tie the game at one. Not even a minute later, Dougie Hamilton would snipe a shot from the faceoff circle, and the Devils took a 2-1 lead heading to intermission. The Devils would go on to out-shoot the Rangers 10-5 and dominate at five-on-five with a 60.71 Corsi-for percentage (CF%), per natural stat trick.
The second period was a much lower scoring one. Only one penalty was taken in the period as well. The Devils continued to dominate at even-strength play with a CF% of 53.13 and, by the period’s end, outshot the Rangers 25-12. The lone goal of the period came from Nate Bastian. Upon entering the zone, he drove hard to the net and roofed a shot past Igor Shesterkin for a 3-1 lead.
The third period was a back and forth affair. Tomas Tatar got things started as he skated through the slot and roofed a shot over the shoulder of Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers finally found their way onto the scoreboard as Alexis Lafreniere scored shorthanded. New Jersey would maintain this the rest of the way and Erik Haula capped it off with an empty-net goal. Vitek Vanecek would finish the entire game and the Devils emerged victorious, 5-2.
Wrap Up
As mentioned, with the victory the Devils remain a perfect at 3-0. Two Devils’ players had multi-point games (Hamilton and Bastian), and Vitek Vanecek secured his second win in a Devils jersey. He allowed two goals and he went on to stop 15-of-17 shots.
The Devils dominated at even strength, but special teams painted a different picture. The team went 0/5 on the power play (allowing two short-handed goals), but also was 3/3 killing penalties.
Game Notes
- One noticeable trend is even strength play. After being a good even-strength team last season, it has carried over into every pre-season game so far. Tonight the team finished with a 58.46 CF%, and outplayed the Rangers in every period. The Devils have been better at even strength than every team they’ve faced.
- Dougie Hamilton had himself a multi-point game (one goal, two assists). As he is now healthy, he continued his strong start to the preseason, as he scored a goal just two nights ago as well.
- Vitek Vanecek was not overly tested in tonight’s matchup but he looked solid. Vanecek saved 0.64 goals above expected (per natural stat trick). Something that you were unable to say about many Devils’ goaltenders last season.
Whats Next?
As preseason hockey continues, The New Jersey Devils return home today, Friday, to take on the same New York Rangers. Puck drop is at 7:00 P.M. at Prudential Center.