Match Overview
For the first time in months, New Jersey Devils’ hockey is officially back! They team is set to play six preseason matches, including tonight’s game against the Washington Capitals.
The Devils will come into this game fresh off a fantastic offseason in which they acquired Dougie Hamilton, Tomas Tatar, Ryan Graves, and Johnathan Bernier (among others). On the other hand, the Capitals have had a lackluster offseason, which doesn’t bode well for them in the cutthroat Metropolitan Division.
The Devils have yet to play this preseason, but the Capitals are 0-0-1 with a shootout loss to the Boston Bruins.
Rosters
Devils’ Roster
Forwards
Alexander Holtz
Andreas Johnsson
Nico Hischier
Mark Jankowski
Jimmy Vesey
Yegor Sharangovich
Dawson Mercer
Nolan Foote
Jabian Zetterlund
Marian Studenic
Jack Hughes
Graeme Clarke
Defense
Ty Smith
Damon Severson
Jonas Seigenthaler
Nikita Okhotyuk
Christian Jaros
Kevin Bahl
Goaltenders
Johnathan Bernier
Nico Daws
Capitals’ Roster
Forwards
Daniel Sprong
Lars Eller
Garnet Hathaway
Connor McMichael
Hendrix Lapierre
Garret Pilon
Tom Wilson
Beck Malenstyn
Brett Leason
Brian Pinho
Riley Sutter
Conor Sheary
Kale Kessy
Joe Snively
Defense
Justin Schultz
Michal Kempny
Dimitry Orlov
Dylan McIlrath
Martin Fehervary
Trevor Van Riemsdyk
Martin Has
Goaltenders
Pheonix Copley
Vitek Vanecek
Who/What to Watch
Who Will Make the Cut?
The preseason is a great time to watch players play at the NHL level who may otherwise still be developing in the minors. However, with a strong performance, some of these players will make the cut for the NHL team. I’m keeping my eye on a few players including Alex Holtz, Dawson Mercer, Jimmy Vesey, Nolan Foote, Graeme Clarke, and Kevin Bahl. Of this group, Nolan Foote and Dawson Mercer (who had a great Prospect Challenge) appear to have the best shots at starting with the Devils. Although they would may ultimately bounce back and forth from the AHL and NHL.
Possible Dynamic Duos
Hughes-Sharangovich
Although their probable linemate, Tomas Tatar, won’t be playing tonight, it will still be interesting to see how Yegor Sharangovich and Jack Hughes have developed as a unit over the summer. With Hughes’ playmaking ability and Sharangovich’s penchant for goal-scoring (example above), these two should be fun to watch.
Smith-Severson
Like Hughes and Sharangovich, Ty Smith and Damon Severson played together last season, often with favorable results. If they play to form this year, the defense will have superb depth. With their talent in the offensive zone, this should be a pairing to watch.
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSG+ at 7:00 pm.