Credit: Allaboutthejersey.com
Devils Drop to Islanders in NHL Preseason Opener, 4-2
Published: Monday, September 23, 2024
by Michael Bellifemini
On Sunday night, the New Jersey Devils began their preseason for the 2024-25 campaign, falling to the visiting New York Islanders 4-2, who were also playing their first game of the preseason. The attendance numbers were impressive for a preseason game, as the Devils faithful packed the Prudential Center with hype already building, after the offseason that was filled with moves to help New Jersey get back in the playoffs.
When starting lineups were announced, there were loud cheers for all the Devils players, but they were especially loud for two players: Dougie Hamilton and Jacob Markstrom. Hamilton missed most of last season due to a torn pec, and Markstrom was acquired via trade in the offseason from Calgary and will be the Devils starting goaltender for majority of games this upcoming season.
Captain Nico Hischier started the scoring early, as he connected with Jesper Bratt for a power play goal just 2:18 into the contest. The score stayed that way until the second period, when Islanders captain Anders Lee answered with a wrister that got past Markstrom. The Devils got the lead back soon after Jesper Bratt scored on a breakaway 32 seconds after the Lee goal. Hischier got the only assist on Bratt’s goal, and they each had two points on the night. Late in the middle frame, the Islanders once again tied the game after Julien Gauthier scored on an odd man rush.
At the start of the third period, Jacob Markstrom was replaced by Nico Daws. Markstrom finished his Devils preseason debut stopping 17 of 19 shots, while making some big saves throughout the night. The Islanders took their first lead of the night early in this period when Camden Thiesing scored from Adam Pelech. They managed to hang on to win the game as Simon Holmstrom added an empty net goal in the dying seconds of regulation. Former Senators goaltender Marcus Hogberg started the game in net for the Islanders, saving 15 of 17 shots. Halfway through regulation, he was replaced by Jakub Skarek, who stopped all eight shots he faced.
Before last night’s meeting, the Devils had won eight straight preseason games, dating back to the 2022-23 season as they went a perfect 7-0 in last year’s preseason. However, that winning streak is now snapped, and the Devils will look to bounce back on Tuesday night in Montreal against the Canadiens.
Michael Bellifemini is an Assistant Sports Director and can be reached at michael.bellifemini@student.shu.eduPosted in: sports,