Devils Prospects Take on Home Team Sabres | PREVIEW

NEW JERSEY DEVILS vs. BUFFALO SABRES

New Jersey Devils prospects continue their Prospects Challenge in Buffalo with a game against the official home team, the Sabres, on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET.

You can watch on the team's official website or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

Click here for full roster.

Read below for your game preview and pre-game story below.

MORNING SKATE RECAP

BUFFALO, NY - The Devils held a morning skate at Buffalo’s LECOM Harborcenter ahead of facing the Sabres.

Defenseman Seamus Casey will not be in the lineup tonight, while Jimmy Dowd Jr. will make his tournament debut. Speaking of debuts, goalie Jakub Malek will make his North American debut as he starts in goal for New Jersey.

First Timer

Devils goaltending prospect Jakub Malek will be experiencing in his first North American action when he suits up tonight. The Devils’ fourth-round pick (100^th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft has been looking forward to this day for quite some time.

“I’m really excited to play the first game,” he said. “I waited a long time since I was drafted. It’s my first opportunity. I really can’t wait to start a game.”

The 6-foot-4 goalie has played the past three seasons with Ilves in Liiga. So he has experience in pro hockey, but has yet to experience playing on the smaller rinks in North America.

“It’s faster because from the corner to the net it’s a little bit closer than in Europe,” he said. “That’ll be the biggest difference but that will fine.”

“For European goalies coming over, the different size of the rink makes a big difference for shot angles, the amount of traffic in front of them,” coach Ryan Parent said.

Home Cooking

The Devils will be playing their second game of the tournament. And it will be much different than the first. With the Devils facing the host team Buffalo Sabres, the stands are expected to be filled with fans.

“We’re happy with Game 1. Tonight is going to be a little different playing Buffalo and there will be a lot of fans,” Parent said. “That’s what we’re talking about. The first game you have a lot of nerves because guys haven’t played all summer. This one is going to be a different animal just because it’s a home game and there will be more atmosphere in the rink. It’s something the guys need to adjust to.”

The Devils have faced the Sabres in previous years. Forward Cam Squires knows what to expect from the atmosphere and believes it will only add to the fun.

“It’s awesome. It’s like playing in a little junior rink,” Squires said. “It’s nice to get the fans in and they support their team. The first game is always a bit choppy, goes how it goes. But the second game, the last three years we’ve played against Buffalo, it won’t be short on energy and intensity.”

Cam Do Attitude

Squires, 20, is a veteran of the Prospects Challenge. But this will be the first time that he hopes to use the tournament as a springboard into the NHL.

After turning pro late last season, Squires joined Utica of the America Hockey League to get his first taste of pro hockey, appearing in three games and posting a goal and four points.

“Getting up there to see that level, it’s one thing to watch it, but once you jump right in, that’s the best way to test it out,” Squires said. “The biggest thing everybody said was ‘just play your game.’ Everybody is brought to the team for a reason, to play their game.”

The Comets were happy to have Squires and his skillset added to their club.

“We knew what type of player he was and we were really excited to get him,” Parent said. “He is a really offensive player that can inject skill into our lineup. The transition to pro is really significant. You’re play against men. A guy like him, who is working on getting stronger, it was a point of emphasis for him.

“His ability, his skill with the puck, his playmaking was on the forefront. We could always use that. He was a big help to our lineup. He’s a player we look forward to having in the future.”

What was the biggest lesson Squires learned in that time?

“Think feet first. You have to move your feet first,” Squres said. “You have to go, you have to move, then look to make the play.”

THE SCOOP

The Devils prospects play their second of three games on Friday night after an impressive 8-2 victory in their opening game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The final game of the tournament will be played on Sunday afternoon against the Boston Bruins at 12 p.m.

Mikael Diotte (2g-1a), Nathan Lecompte (2g-1a) and Tag Bertuzzi (3a) all picked up three points in the win against Columbus. Shane Lachance, Seamus Casey, Dylan Wendt and Brian Carrabes also tallied for New Jersey in the win.

The Sabres will open tournament play in the matchup with the Devils. Buffalo will ice a team highlighted by first-round picks Konsta Helenius (2024), Noah Ostlund (2022), Isak Rosen (2021) and Radim Mrtka (2025).

Twenty-three of the Sabres 26 players at rookie camp are draft picks of the team.

PROSPECTS TO WATCH

Devils - Shane Lachance

Shane Lachance has a lot of tools to be an effective NHL player. He has the size (6-foot-5, 218 pounds). He has the grit (registered several hits and a fight in the opening game of the tournament). He has the hands and skill (scored a highlight reel tally on the goal line from an impossible angle). He has the smarts and he has the character (former collegiate hockey captain). Lachance will be fighting for a roster spot in the NHL at the upcoming training camp. He has an opportunity to make an early impression with the Prospects Challenge. And so far, so good.

Sabres - Isak Rosen

Isak Rosen was a first-round pick (14^th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft by Buffalo. The 22-year-old Swiss prospect is expected to make the jump to the NHL this season after spending the previous three with Rochester in the AHL. He produced a career-high 28 goals for the Americans in 2024-25. He’s dipped his toe for 15 NHL games, but is hoping this year to make himself a permanent fixture in the Show.