Devils fall to Penguins in Saturday's Prospect Challenge Game

BUFFALO, NY - The New Jersey Devils participated in their second game of the Prospects Challenge Saturday afternoon, facing the Pittsburgh Penguins. Playing for a second time in less than 24 hours at the HarborCenter, the Devils lost 6-2.
Here are five takeaways from the game.
Changing up the lineup.
1. Binghamton Devils coach Rick Kowalsky, who is coaching the prospects in Buffalo, changed up his lineup after an overtime win on Friday. Will Butcher played his second game of the tournament and was featured with a new defensive partner, undrafted D-man Jacob McDonald. His Game 1 partner, Steven Santini, was paired up with Colby Sissons. Each player participating in the tournament will appear in two games.

2. It was a tough first period for the prospects, who gave up 20 shots to the Penguins. Goalie Ken Appleby made 17 saves as the Devils were outshot by 15 and found themselves down 3-0 after one period.
   3. The Devils showed an energy boost in the second period. Butcher quarterbacked a 5-on-3 power play and several players' shots hit the goal post. It was, however, the defensive play that was much improved, as the Devils held the Penguins shotless until the 14:03 mark and allowed just five shots total in the period.
   4. Two items of note: John Quenneville left the early in the third period after taking a puck to the face. Trainers immediately jumped on the ice to his aid, although he was able to skate off on his own. Per Coach Kowalsky, Quenneville will be re-evaluated when the team returns to New Jersey, but is expected to be fine.
   Later, in the third period, there was a fight between Santini and Pittsburgh's Zach Aston-Reese.
   5. Brandon Baddock and Jesper Bratt lead the team in shots on goal. Both players registered five shots. Bratt, playing in his first game of the tournament, also picked up New Jersey's first goal of the game.