The New Jersey Devils are set to play the Washington Capitals at Prudential Center on Sunday as part of their preseason schedule. On the same day, the Devils will also face the Ottawa Senators in Quebec City. Fans can watch both games live through the Devils’ website and app, or listen to radio coverage of the Capitals game via the Devils Hockey Network.
In their first three exhibition games, New Jersey recorded two wins and one loss. The team began with a 5-3 defeat against the New York Rangers but rebounded with victories over the Islanders, winning 6-2 at home and 4-2 on the road. Arseny Gritsyuk, who scored and assisted in his debut for New Jersey, and Brian Halonen currently lead the team with three points each. Nathan Légaré and Luke Glendening have also contributed with two-point performances. Seventeen different skaters have registered at least one point so far in preseason play, and the power play has converted three times.
On defense, Dougie Hamilton and Simon Nemec have been notable early in preseason action. Nemec holds a +3 rating over two games. In goal, Georgii Romanov has posted a .917 save percentage by stopping 11 of 12 shots faced, while Jakub Málek and Jake Allen have delivered strong outings as well.
The Capitals arrive in New Jersey after starting their preseason with back-to-back wins—defeating Boston 5-2 and Philadelphia 5-1. Washington’s young forwards Sonny Milano and Hendrix Lapierre have each collected six points in two games. Prospect Andrew Cristall is expected to be included in Sunday’s lineup after scoring a power-play goal against Philadelphia, while Ilya Protas will appear in his third consecutive preseason contest. Team captain Alex Ovechkin practiced Saturday but is not anticipated to play due to a lower-body injury.
For Sunday’s game at Prudential Center, final lineups for both teams will be announced closer to puck drop. During practice, Arseny Gritsyuk skated alongside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt—a combination likely to feature against Washington—while goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen are expected to remain available at home base.
Several players from both teams are currently sidelined due to injuries or undisclosed reasons: For New Jersey, Kovacevic (lower body), Noesen (lower body), Lachance (undisclosed), Hameenaho (undisclosed), and McLaughlin (undisclosed) are out or day-to-day; for Washington, Ovechkin (lower body), Suzdalev (undisclosed), and Dowd (undisclosed) are listed as day-to-day.
Looking back at last season’s regular matchups between these teams: The Devils won twice—5-3 on October 12th and 3-2 on November 23rd—while the Capitals secured victories on October 19th (6-5 OT) and November 30th (6-5).
Statistical leaders from last season include Nico Hischier leading New Jersey with 35 goals; Jesper Bratt pacing assists with 67; Bratt also topping total points at 88. For Washington, Alex Ovechkin led with 44 goals; Dylan Strome had most assists at 53; Strome was also top point scorer with 82.
