Match Overview

After traveling to Allentown, PA to take on the Flyers at the PPL Center, the Devils return to the ice tonight to take on the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Aside from a few regulars, the Devils lineup consisted almost entirely of prospects in last night’s 2-0 defeat. None of those players will be in action tonight, including some of the regulars such as Damon Severson and Jon Merrill. Cory Schneider and Kyle Palmieri will also sit out tonight and are expected to get their first action of the preseason Saturday night against the Rangers.

Line Combinations 

New Jersey Devils (per Andrew Gross)

Cammalleri-Zajac-Lappin
Kalinin-Zacha-Bennett
Pietila-McLeod-Coleman
Smith-Pelly-Fiddler-Gibbons

Greene-Lovejoy
Auvitu-Santini/Scarlett
Mozik-MacWilliam

Scott Wedgewood/Mackenzie Blackwood

New York Rangers (per Steve Zipay)

Vesey-Hayes-Nash
Gerbe-Pirri-Buchnevich
Grabner-Hrivik-Fast
Tambellini-Lapierre-Jensen

Holden-Klein,
Graves-Summers,
Gilmour-McIlrath

Raanta/Skapski

What to Watch 

Yohann Auvitu/Steve Santini: Auvitu tallied 2 assists and just about broke even at possession in his first game on North American ice Monday night. Even with the Devils signing of Kyle Quincey, Auvitu still has a good shot of making the team out of camp. With a strong showing tonight, it only further strengthens his case. Santini is also looking to earn a roster spot out of camp. He was paired with Auvitu at this morning’s skate (along with Reece Scarlett). If the two play together, it will give them the chance to show that they could be the team’s third defensive pair to start the season.

Scott Wedgewood: With Cory Schneider still out after returning from the World Cup and with Keith Kinkaid not playing tonight after playing the full game last night, Wedgewood is going to get a good opportunity to make a case to be Schneider’s back up tonight. He stopped 26/27 shots Monday night. With him needing to clear waivers to be sent down to the AHL, Wedgewood will need another strong showing to help strengthen his case.

Pavel Zacha: The 6th overall pick in the 2015 draft will skate on the second line with Sergey Kalinin and Beau Bennett. With the Devils looking to move Jacob Josefson to the wing, this will be a chance for Zacha to show he’s NHL ready. It also gives him the chance to do it at center, the position he is most comfortable with.