The New Jersey Devils secured a decisive 6-2 win over the New York Islanders in a preseason matchup on Tuesday night at Prudential Center. The Devils fielded a roster close to their regular NHL lineup, while the Islanders opted to rest many of their main players.
Dougie Hamilton and Nico Hischier each scored power play goals for New Jersey early in the game. “The longer we can have together as a full team, or close to it, playing with your D-partners and guys you’re going to be playing with, I think it’s nice to get those reps in and the chemistry going,” Hamilton said.
Connor Brown extended the lead after converting a pass from Ondrej Palat, making it 3-1 for the Devils. Dawson Mercer added another goal, and rookie defenseman Ethan Edwards notched his first preseason goal early in the third period. Evgenii Dadonov scored from close range on another power play opportunity.
For the Islanders, Emil Heineman scored during a first-period power play, and Calum Ritchie added their second goal midway through the third.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe praised young defenseman Simon Nemec’s performance during training camp and in this game. “I thought Nemo was assertive, he was confident, looked quick, snapped the puck with authority. He’s had a great camp, he’s ready to go,” Keefe said. Nemec led all skaters with 22:31 of ice time and recorded an assist.
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom played only one period as planned and faced his first shot late in that frame after New Jersey built up significant offensive pressure.
New Jersey took advantage of its nearly complete NHL lineup by working its special teams units. The first power play group—consisting of Hischier, Hamilton, Jack Hughes, Dawson Mercer, and Jesper Bratt—contributed two goals. The second unit included Nemec alongside Ondrej Palat, Timo Meier, Arseny Gritsyuk, and Evgeni Dadonov. The Devils finished 3-for-4 on power plays for the night.
“We have high expectations for it,” Keefe said about the team’s power play performance last season and looking ahead this year. “It was a huge weapon for us last season. I do think there’s potential… We had as good a power play as there was in the NHL last season and I think there’s potential there for the minutes when our top unit isn’t on to be even better than they were last year. That’s exciting.”
The third line featuring Ondrej Palat, Luke Glendening (currently with New Jersey on a tryout), and Connor Brown provided steady play throughout the contest. Brown noted: “We’ve had some conversations about creating space and maintaining possession and things that’s he’s done over his career, things that I’ve done… So when you see the game similar to somebody, it makes it just that much easier on that learning curve.”
Keefe also commented on Palat and Brown: “For me, both guys, no matter what line you put them on… they enhance that line. Having them together creates some real opportunity to utilize them in any type of situation.”
Several players—including Arseny Gritsyuk, Juho Lammikko, Luke Glendening, Brian Halonen, and Ethan Edwards—played in both of New Jersey’s opening preseason games as coaches evaluate options before making roster cuts later this week.
“I think we’ll have some conversations,” Keefe said regarding upcoming roster decisions. “Fitzy and the staff will make those decisions. It’s tricky because you still need guys… It remains to be seen how we’ll manage that.”
The Devils will continue their preseason schedule Friday night with their first road game against the Islanders at UBS Arena in Long Island.
