Sunday, the New Jersey Devils will look to open the preseason with a win against the New York Islanders.
The Devils finished last season with a record of 42-37-3, missing the postseason. The Islanders finished 43-34-5, also missing the postseason.
Match Overview
The preseason could look different this year. With the regular season increasing to 84 games, the preseason was reduced to four. That could lead to seeing more NHL regulars to get them up to speed quicker.
Head coaches Sheldon Keefe and Pete DeBoer did not choose to disclose who will be playing on either side thus far. However, we have an idea of how both teams may be lining up on day one of the regular season.
Lines and Pairings
Here is how the Devils and Islanders are practicing at training camp. Note, Mathew Barzal is currently out with an injury.
Devils
Forwards
Meier-Hischier-Evangelista
Bratt-Hughes-Mantha
Gritsyuk-Rodrigues-Mercer
Lombardi-Glass-Brown
Defense
Hughes-Pesce
Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Dillon-Chisholm
Goalies
Allen
Daws
Islanders
Forwards
Holmstrom-Horvat-Palmieri
Maccelli-Ritchie-Schenn
Eklund-Pageau-Heineman
Palat-Cizikas-Duclair
Defense
Schaefer-Pulock
Romanov-DeAngelo
Pelech-Mayfield
Goalies
Sorokin
Vanecek
Keys to the Game
Power Play Depth
One of the benefits of having a deep forward group is that the power play also gains important depth. At practice Saturday, the Devils had a first unit of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Luke Evangelista, and Luke Hughes. The second unit they had was composed of Timo Meier, Anthony Mantha, Arseny Gritsyuk, Evan Rodrigues, and Dougie Hamilton.
The Devils have held the fifth-best power play over the last four seasons at 23.6%. In many of those seasons, the results came with a subpar second power play unit. If health is on New Jersey’s side this year, the Devils should be in line for another year with one of the best man-advantages in the NHL.
Lombardi Impressing
One of the biggest stories over the first few days of camp is the performance of trade acquisition of Amadeus Lombardi. Lombardi was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings for a fourth-round pick just before the draft. The thought was that he would compete for a roster spot, and after tearing up the AHL over the past few seasons, he has given Sunny Mehta and Sheldon Keefe no reason to send him back.
Where To Watch
Sunday’s opening game can be viewed on NHL Network and MSG at 1:00 pm ET.