The New Jersey Devils secured a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers in a preseason game at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. Head coach Sheldon Keefe had emphasized that he wanted the game to resemble a regular-season contest, and his team responded with a disciplined performance.
The opening period was quiet offensively, with only five total shots on goal. The Devils took advantage late in the first when Arseny Gritsyuk set up Paul Cotter for the game’s opening goal. Cotter acknowledged a misstep before scoring, saying, “I actually had a pretty bad play on the wall right beforehand. But what an amazing pass by our Russian friend. The rest, it just kinda was brainless, I guess.”
Cotter’s comfort level playing alongside Gritsyuk and Luke Glendening has been apparent throughout training camp. He said of Gritsyuk, “He’s gonna be such an amazing player in this league. We’re a fourth line out there, but it doesn’t look like it with the way he’s making plays. It’s fun to play with him.” Keefe echoed this sentiment: “I think Cotter’s had a great preseason. He drove the puck, made plays, scored a big goal. He definitely looks ready to play for the season.”
The Rangers tied the game late in the second period after Simon Nemec’s clearing attempt deflected off Adam Edström and got past goaltender Jacob Markstrom. The Rangers then increased their offensive pressure, outshooting New Jersey 15-6 through two periods.
In the third period, special teams became decisive for New Jersey. Dougie Hamilton fired a shot from the blue line during a power play that Ondrej Palat redirected past Jonathan Quick to give the Devils a 2-1 lead. Palat described his goal: “It was a good job up top and Dougie shot it. I was pretty open there, so I just wanted to get a stick on it, and luckily it went in.” Palat also commented on building chemistry with linemates Cody Glass and Connor Brown: “The first period was so-so, the second was better, and the third was better also,” he said. “Not bad, still room for improvement. We’ll get a couple practices before next week.”
Markstrom faced several challenges from New York in the closing minutes but made key saves to maintain New Jersey’s lead. Keefe praised his team’s approach: “Overall, from a process point of view, we did a pretty good job and got the win,” adding that “the power play came through to get us one that ultimately was the difference.”
Dawson Mercer sealed the victory with an empty-net goal late in regulation.
Markstrom stopped 20 of 21 shots while Quick made 10 saves on 12 attempts for New York as they outshot New Jersey 21-13 overall.
Gritsyuk now has four points—two goals and two assists—through five preseason games as he continues to adapt well across different lines during exhibition play.
Brett Pesce did not appear in the third period due to an undisclosed issue; Keefe said there was no update on his status.
The Devils will finish their preseason schedule Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
