BUFFALO, NY - The New Jersey Devils participated in their final game of the Prospects Challenge on Monday afternoon, facing the Boston Bruins. The Devils dropped the matchup 9-3. Here are five takeaways from the game.
The Devils ended the three-game round robin tournament with a 1-2-0 record. New Jersey won its opening game against the Sabres, lost to the Penguins, and lost Monday against the Bruins. 2. For a third consecutive game, coach Rick Kowalski switched up his first line. Nico Hischier centered Monday's, with Jesper Bratt and Michael McLeod on his wings. Hischier looked steady with the puck, including several good carries up the ice. He had an assist on Michael McLeod's third period goal. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood played his first game of the tournament. Blackwood played the first 40 minutes, facing 19 shots and making 11 saves. He was replaced by Evan Cormier to start the third period. 3. Blake Speers scored for a second consecutive game. Speers got New Jersey on the board at the 13:50 mark of the first period. Speers' power play marker was assisted by Nathan Bastian and Colby Sissons. 4. Nick Lappin, playing on a line with Ryan Kujawinski and Brandon Gignac, had an eventful game. He scored the Devils' second goal of the afternon and dropped his gloves in the third period against Boston's Sean Kuraly. 5. The prospects head back to New Jersey immediately following the game. With the Prospects Challenge under their belts, as well as the lessons learned from Coach Kowalsky, the Devils' prospects will now get ready for main camp, which opens Friday, Sept. 15.
