3 Takeaways From Devils' Preseason Opener vs. Islanders
Despite falling 4-2 to the New York Islanders, there were some positives to take away from the New Jersey Devils' preseason opener.
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The New Jersey Devils' 2024-25 season has gotten underway. They played in their first preseason game last night, falling 4-2 to the New York Islanders.
Though it was a loss, the result doesn't matter much, and there were some solid individual performances from Devils skaters you expect to be on the NHL roster, specifically through the first two periods. Here are three takeaways from the team's first exhibition game of 2024-25.
Markström Excellent in Devils Debut
It may not have been a regular-season game, but there was certainly some excitement in seeing Jacob Markström in a Devils sweater for the first time. He only played in the game's first two periods, but there was plenty to like.
The Devils got off to a good start, but it didn't take long for the Islanders to find their game. They got a few quality chances on Markström in the first period, but he stood tall and turned all of them aside.
Markström's first quality save came on Jean-Gabriel Pageau when he got in tight for a high-danger chance that Markström turned away with the left pad. The Devils' netminder also made a flashy glove save on Kyle Palmieri, showing off his penchant for stopping high-danger chances.
Markström continued his strong work in the second, even though he gave up a couple of goals. He ate up a Julien Gauthier slapper, giving up no rebound. He also played well on the Devils' penalty kill, turning aside a couple of shots from Samuel Bolduc.
The Devils' No. 1 netminder made 17 saves on 19 shots before Nico Daws took over for the third period. Markström gave up 0.28 goals above expected, essentially stopping what was expected of him. And when looking at the two goals he gave up, it's hard to argue he should've stopped them.
Because the Devils leave for Prague in six days, I'd expect Markström to get a fair amount of work in the team's three preseason games this week. He got off to a solid start yesterday and has something to build on toward the Global Series next weekend.
Tatar, Hischier & Bratt Showed Some Old Chemistry
The Devils and head coach Sheldon Keefe will likely try a few different combos with Tomáš Tatar and Nico Hischier this preseason. First up was a trio with Jesper Bratt, a combo that found plenty of success in 2022-23 when the team won 52 games.
While they didn't dominate the Islanders at five-on-five, they looked pretty good as a unit in a few different spots. Some of the Devils' best offensive shifts came with the Tatar, Hischier and Bratt line on the ice, specifically in the second period.
Tatar returned to the Devils on a one-year deal this offseason, and I thought he played quite well in his preseason debut. He had a couple of quality scoring chances, and he set up Dougie Hamilton for a high-danger chance via a beautiful seam pass from behind the goal line. Hamilton just fired the shot high and wide.
Meanwhile, Bratt looked like he was in midseason form. He made an unbelievable whirling, no-look pass to Hischier on Hischier's power-play goal, and he finished a partial breakaway to give the Devils a 2-1 lead in the second period.
It'll be interesting to see if Keefe gives this combo another try in a preseason game or if someone like Kevin Labanc, who's been practicing with Hischier and Tatar, gets a chance with them before the team heads to Prague.
Cotter, Lazar, and Bastian: Meat & Mitts
The Devils' best line last night was arguably Paul Cotter, Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian. They may not have scored a goal, but they tilted the ice heavily in their favor at five-on-five.
Lazar led the team in expected goals share (xG%), finishing with a 73.2 xG%. Fans seem excited about Cotter, and it's easy to see why. He plays with pace and adds some physicality, but he also has some skill. There was one shift in the middle of the first period where this line sustained some offensive zone time, with Cotter getting a couple of decent chances on net.
Cotter was also one of the Devils' best five-on-five players, totaling a 65.77 xG%. Unless Labanc makes the team and earns an NHL contract, Cotter, Lazar and Bastian will likely be the Devils' fourth line to start the regular season. At least for now, the early returns look positive.
Quick Hits
It's been about ten months since Dougie Hamilton played in a hockey game after tearing his pectoral muscle in late November 2023. There were moments when he looked like vintage Dougie Hamilton offensively, so that was certainly encouraging. But he and Brenden Dillon struggled defensively, finishing with xG shares below 45 percent. It's only one preseason game, so it might not mean much, but Jonas Siegenthaler may be the ideal fit for Hamilton.
Speaking of Siegenthaler, he and Johnathan Kovacevic looked pretty decent as a defense pair. Kovacevic finished with an xG% of 68.15 percent, while Siegenthaler totaled a 66.71 xG%. Siegenthaler also fired four shots on goal at five-on-five, tying Hamilton for most among all Devils skaters. If Siegenthaler keeps this play up, there's a good case to give him a look with Hamilton, a pair that's put up excellent results in a large sample.
While the Devils' lineup wasn't necessarily watered down yesterday, players expected to begin the season with Utica Comets looked as such. Colton White and Nick DeSimone had a defensive lapse on the Islanders' second goal, while Nico Daws couldn't seal his post on the game-winning goal early in the third. Chase Stillman finished with a 6.54 xG%, and Nolan Foote didn't show much in his limited ice time. That's when the Devils' worst moments occurred last night, but everyone you expect to be in the NHL showed relatively well. That's ultimately what you want to see in preseason action.
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