As the calendar passes into October, the Hudson River Rivalry is renewed. The second game of the preseason sees the New Jersey Devils welcome the New York Rangers to the Prudential Center. While preseason games often draw little attention, there’s always people watching when these two teams play each other.
The Rangers seemed close to making the playoffs last year. Close wasn’t good enough and they traded in their hockey sticks for golf clubs come post season time. They spent their summer plotting revenge against Tom Wilson, or “building a tougher team,” as the front office likes to call it.
Last season was another lost year for the team from the Garden State. However, the offseason should be one to remember. Not only did they land the top free agent in Dougie Hamilton, but also traded for defenseman Ryan Graves, while acquiring a veteran backup goaltender in Johnathan Bernier, and adding a top-six scoring forward in Tomas Tartar. This has been the biggest step forward in the Tom Fitzgerald reboot of the Ray Shero led rebuild.
The Devils still have a long road to go before we can start talking “Stanley Cup,” contenders. Before this offseason, that “road,” seemed more like a never ending highway. The fans are excited and they get to see their team take the ice, in person, with the new kids on the block.
Players To Watch
Dougie Hamilton:
The biggest free agent acquisition of the offseason, and perhaps team history, makes his New Jersey Devils’ debut. Yes, it’s only the preseason. Yes, the games don’t necessarily count. However, don’t lie and don’t say you aren’t excited to see this, though.
Dawson Mercer:
Mercer spent the last season of junior hockey getting us Devils’ fans excited about what he can do. With a goal against the Washington Capitals in Wednesday’s preseason win, we didn’t have to wait long to get a glimpse of what he can do in some game action. One of the team’s top prospect plays in his second straight preseason matchup.
Braden Schneider:
Why do we necessarily want to watch the New York Rangers’ bottom-pairing defenseman in this preseason game? Well, remember last season when Schneider was a reported target for the Devils in the NHL draft? However, the Rangers traded up and leap frogged the Devils to take Schneider instead. With the next pick, 20th overall, the Devils surprised everyone by taking Shakir Mukhamadullin. Brayden Schneider might not be an impact player in tonight’s game, but he’s an interesting foot note in the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers Hudson River rivalry.
Keys To Victory
Expect To Play Physical:
After their little run in with Tom Wilson of the Capitals last season, the Rangers have made building a more physical team an offseason priority. That’s why they added the likes of Ryan Reaves and Barclay Goodrow. Reaves won’t be in the lineup for Friday’s game. Meanwhile, Goodrow finds himself on the top line. With or without Reaves, the Devils should expect the Rangers to play with more physicality than they did last season.
Ryan Graves Defensive Pairing:
According to Amanda Stein, in the morning skate newly acquired defenseman Ryan Graves was paired with, “Mr. Personality,” P.K. Subban. It seems like an odd matchup. Graves is a stay-at-home defender, and a good one at that. Meanwhile, Subban likes to be flashy with his skating and puck movement but still possess a pretty good slap shot. All signs pointed to be Graves being on the team’s top defensive pairing this season. Matching him with Subban was an odd choice, so let’s see how it works out.
Home Ice:
Yes, it’s only the second game and yes, it’s only a preseason game. This is still the first time the Devils will play in front of home fans at the Prudential Center. That should give the team a boost of energy.
Projected Lineups
New Jersey Devils
Forwards:
Above are the forwards confirmed for tonight’s game. We have not seen any type of lines.
Defenseman:
We have a better idea for defensive pairings and goaltending. All pairings are from the morning skate, they come from Amanda Stein:
Colton White-Dougie Hamilton
Ryan Graves-P.K. Subban
Michael Vukojevic-Jeremy Groleau
Goalies:
Johnathan Bernier (starting)
Nico Daws
New York Rangers
Forwards:
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Vitali Kratsov
Barclay Goodrow-Philip Chytil-Julien Gauthier
Dryden Hunt-Greg McKegg-Sammy Blais
Mason Geertsen-Morgan Barron-Lauri Pajuniemi
Defenseman:
K’Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba
Jarred Tinordi-Nils Lundqvist
Zac Jones-Brayden Schneider
Goalies:
Igor Shesterkin (starting)
Adam Huska
Prediction
Let’s hope the New Jersey Devils welcome Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Graves with a winning note. Rangers have the slight goaltending matchup, so we’ll call this one a 3-2 Devils’ victory. Dawson Mercer will also find his way to the scoresheet for a second straight game.