Last night, the New Jersey Devils (7-0-0) defeated the New York Islanders (2-4-0) 3-0 in the final game of their preseason schedule. While the Devils didn’t always have control of the game, especially in the second period, they still managed to shutout their division rivals.
This all despite the fact the Devils dressed a rather watered-down club. Meanwhile, the Islanders rolled what projects as their opening night lineup.
Game Summary
First Period
Neither team got off to a hot start in the first period. Most of the frame saw the Isles and Devils go back and forth with chances. Possession was split almost down the middle, with the Devils earning a 47.37 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and a 48.11 xG%.
New Jersey finally broke the ice at the 6:29 mark with a goal from Max Willman, who redirected a wrist shot from Curtis Lazar past Illya Sorokin. The Devils didn’t generate much after that but the Islanders got a couple of good looks on Akira Schmid, who snuffed out multiple odd-man rushes during the first period.
New York put the pressure on with under a minute to play but couldn’t capitalize for a goal. New Jersey went into the first intermission up 1-0
Second Period
After a decent first frame, New Jersey did not look good in the second. The Islanders spent most of the period in the Devils’ zone but failed to bury one past Akira Schmid. New Jersey notched an abysmal 8.7 CF% at five-on-five during the second period.
Despite this, they scored another two goals. The first one came six minutes in from Kevin Bahl, who one-timed a smart pass from Dawson Mercer past a helpless Sorokin. It was a nice play off a quick transition into the offensive zone.
Simon Nemec scored a shorthanded goal later on in the period, skating around Oliver Wahlstom and beating Sorokin one-on-one. This wasn’t a clean goal, however, the referees missed a tripping call on Tyce Thompson, which opened up the Islanders’ defense.
Nevertheless, the Devils would end the second period with a comfortable three-goal margin.
Third Period
The Devils looked much better in the third period, pinning the Islanders in their own zone for multiple shifts to start the frame. Sebastian Aho took a slashing penalty in an attempt to clear the zone at 2:18. New Jersey set up well on the power play but made a brutal turnover to Casey Cizikas, who motored all the way up the ice and nearly put the puck past Akira Schmid one-on-one. It was yet another great save by Akira Schmid, who was on his game last night.
Minutes later, the Devils would get a short-handed chance of their own when Tomas Nosek speared a pass to a wide-open Dawson Mercer, who also failed to score on an all-alone Illya Sorokin.
Both teams got a few more chances in, but the preseason game was all but over at that point. The Devils controlled much more of the possession this period with a 71.43 CF%.
Results
It’s a pretty good sign that a Devils’ squad littered with several non-NHL players can run with the Islanders’ regulars. This game didn’t mean as much as the previous preseason games in terms of getting up to speed, but the front office will certainly look at it when considering who to call up. With last night’s win, the Devils conclude their exhibition slate undefeated at 7-0-0.
Game Notes
Schmid Has a Great Night
When the Devils didn’t control the game, Akira Schmid held down the fort in net. He made more than a few crucial saves in odd-man situations. His team fell apart around him in the second period, but he still managed to earn the shutout. He posted 2.71 goals saved above expected (GSAx) in addition to stopping at 30 shots he faced.
Gearing Up for the Season
Most of New Jersey’s main lineup watched from the seats last night, resting before the start of the regular season on Thursday, but a few players looking to crack the lineup or get some extra reps in played. Head coach Lindy Ruff and general manager Tom Fitzgerald will soon make their final cuts, and we’ll see if hopefuls like Simon Nemec will break camp with the team or start the season in the minors.
Up Next
The Devils will open the regular season against the Detroit Red Wings at home on Thursday at 7:30 pm ET.