Devils Emerge Victorious in Monday Night Preseason Hudson River Rivalry Rendition

Published: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

by Ryan Fox

NEWARK, N.J. - The New Jersey Devils were looking to extend their preseason win streak to two. Tonight’s matchup consisted of the classic Hudson River Rivalry between the Rangers and Devils. New Jersey was looking to prove themselves with a hard-hitting veteran on-ice roster.

 

New York took a step back from this game to let their prospects get a chance to develop. The Devils were looking to make a statement after an impressive off-season roster rebuild thanks to New Jersey’s new general manager, Sunny Mehta.

 

The first period of play opened up hot. New Jersey held New York on the defensive side of play in the opening minutes of the first. Devils newcomers, Anthony Mantha, Luke Evangelista, and Evan Rodrigues provided New Jersey with the depth they were searching for.  

 

Head Coach Sheldon Keefe remains behind the bench, while the front office received a massive rebuild. New York, on the other hand, started the night with a predominantly young core, with many AHL regulars and Rangers prospects, in hopes of finding their groove in a professional NHL setting.

 

Ranger Adam Sykora took a devastating blow from Devil Mikael Diotte, and needed assistance exiting the ice. After a hard fought first period, New Jersey got sent to the first power play of the game with Ranger defensemen Drew Fortescue entering the box for tripping. The Devils and Rangers both failed to get on the board in the first. 

 

New Jersey entered the second with 34 seconds remaining on Fortescue’s tripping minor. Uneventful on the man advantage, the game resumed at even strength. Returning Devil, Jesper Boqvist, made his presence known on the ice with an extremely aggressive second period.

 

Boqvist began his career in New Jersey, after getting drafted in the second round, 36th overall in 2017. He spent the previous two seasons with the Florida Panthers before signing back to the Devils this offseason. 

 

Nearing the end of the second, Nico Hischier broke the ice and got New Jersey on the board, handing the assists to Timo Meier and Luke Evangelista.

 

With 3:55 left in the second, Ranger forward Anton Blidh answered back for New York, tying the game at one. Shortly after, with 50 seconds left, Meier responded for New Jersey, giving the Devils a lead late in the second. 
 

The Rangers entered the final period looking to bounce back after succumbing to a late Devils goal. New York netminder, Dylan Garand occupied the posts for tonight’s matchup against New Jersey and put up an impressive performance, saving 28 out of 31 shots on goal.

 

Halfway through the final period, the Rangers were sent to their first power play of the game after a hooking call on Arseny Gritsyuk. 

 

It was adamant that both teams were digging for the next goal and looked hungrier than ever. New York’s young preseason roster proved to be a strong feat for the veteran New Jersey lineup.

 

Late in the third, the Devils continued their intense style of play, limiting New York to behind their blue line. With two minutes left to play, Jack Hughes managed to find the back of the net and give New Jersey a late lead. 

 

Garand came off the ice, giving the Rangers a man advantage with the empty net. New Jersey was able to wind down the clock, securing the victory over New York. 

 

The Devils will look to collect a second win against the Rangers this Thursday at Madison Square Garden with a 7 P.M. puck drop. 

 

Ryan Fox can be reached at ryan.fox@student.shu.edu 

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