Here are some observations from the game:
• Does it count as a debut if it's a preseason matchup? There are no rules! Monday nights game marked the debut of newcomers Anthony Mantha, Luke Evangelista and Evan Rodrigues, as well as the return of Jesper Boqvist.
• There’s some real chemistry developing early between Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Luke Evangelista. The trio combined for four points against the Rangers, with all three getting on the scoresheet on Hischier’s opening goal.
Meier’s second-period goal was officially credited as unassisted, but Evangelista played a key role in making it happen. He tied up the puck behind the Rangers’ net, giving Meier the opening to swoop in, pick up the loose puck and finish on a wraparound. The goal also put the Devils up 2-1 with less than a minute to play in the second period. It was a small play, but one that showed how the three are beginning to work together.
"He’s got a lot of skill,” Meier said of Evangelista. “He’s hard on pucks, especially playing with Nico we try to go and play a simple game and get in their zone and try to outwork the other team. I think he’s got that extra skill of making plays but also realizing when he’s got to put a puck in and crafty on some loose pucks.”
More than the points, though, they’re already starting to read off each other well, finding open ice, making plays for one another and working together naturally.
• The Devils are likely to head into the regular season with the duo of Jake Allen and Nico Daws in net. On Monday, the two goalies shared the game with veteran Allen playing the opening 20 minutes of the game and Daws taking over for the remainder.
Allen wasn't tested much against an AHL-heavy Rangers lineup, required to make just three saves.
Daws made 13 saves on 15 shots, and admittedly felt a little rusty in net, but that's what a preseason game is for.
"He doesn’t like the goals, I don’t like the goals but it’s a first preseason game,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “At least in my time where he’s been in the net when I’ve been here, he doesn’t make a habit of that. He’s had a tremendous camp, so that’s more what I’m focused on here. Even in our morning skate, like he was locked in and was really, really good. That’s a good sign for me.
"But it also kind of shows how it maybe translates to the ice, that he really wants this, he’s played and put a lot into it," Keefe continued. "You can see how focused he is. Sometimes you just need to relax and play and trust yourself. He’ll get this one out of his system.”
• The Rangers did not dress any of their familiar top players.
• Brett Pesce had a much longer summer than most of his teammates, with his last competitive game dating back to March 3. Pesce was limited to just 37 games last season, the least amount of games he’s played in a season in his career since becoming an NHL regular.
• The Rangers were down a forward midway through the first period after Devils defenseman Mikael Diotte laid a check on Rangers Adam Sykora. Sykora was unable to get up off the ice on his two feet, and inched his way on his knees toward the Rangers bench before play was whistled dead. The 22-year-old was then helped off the ice by teammates and a trainer and went straight to the Rangers room, and did not return to the game.
