MORNING SKATE RECAP
NEWARK, NJ - The Devils hit the ice at Prudential Center for their morning skate before taking a bus to Madison Square Garden later to face the New York Rangers.
Below is the game group and their workflow…
Boqvist – Lombardi – Noesen
Steeves – Melovsky – Hameenaho
Tufte – White – Parent
Lachance – Schmelzer – McLaughlin
Silaev – Kolyachonok
Edwards – Casey
Vilen – Diotte
Daws
Rittich
Finally Healthy
Forward Stefan Noesen will be playing in his second (and final) preseason game tonight for the Devils. He’s looking to make a comeback after an injury-riddled 2025-26 campaign in which he played on 33 games.
“I went had some things done this summer that really helped out, some time off, some recovery,” he said. “I feel pretty good. Getting through the first couple days of camp has been a lot. I haven’t done that up-and-down thing since January. I feel good. It’s great to play games, get reps and feel like a hockey player again.”
During the 2024-25 season, Noesen played in 78 games, notching career highs in goals (22), power-play goals (11) and points (44). He’s hoping to get back to that track.
“It’s been a long road. I had the adductor thing last summer,” he said. “That delayed my season. The knee thing. I haven’t felt myself in about a year, if not longer.
“I’m getting older. I want to take it day by day and go out there, do the best I can. Show my grind and the will to win. That’s all you can ask for.”
Another Look
Devils forward Amadeus Lombardi will skate in his second preseason game with the club. This time, he’ll be at his natural position of center with Noesen and Jesper Boqvist on his wings.
“I’ve played center my whole life, so wing is the adjustment that I have to make and learning how to play that new position,” Lombardi said. “It’s nice to get a game in with some familiarity. I’m excited to play with Boqy and Noes, they’re both tremendous players. I think it’ll be fun tonight.”
For Lombardi, having that versatility may be an asset to help him land on the NHL roster.
“It’s a big part of staying in the lineup and helping my career overall,” he said, “being able to play both sides. Growing up I only played center. This is my first year at wing. I’ve played four or five games my whole darer on the wing. It’ll help me stay in the lineup, stay up with the team, hopefully down the road it’ll help me play up and down as well.”
Having Lombardi play two games with one at wing and the other at center was scheduled out by the coaching staff well before camp.
“He and I met well before camp began and I mapped out what we had planned for him this entire camp. Anything you’ve seen with him, the way he’s moved about the groups or playing center today, I communicated well in advance of camp beginning. So he knows there’s a plan in place for him to give him every opportunity to get acclimated, have success and show well.
“He’s been really engaged and he’s been open to everything. He’s been appreciative of how we’ve used him.”
Rangers Lineup
