For the fourth time in five games the New Jersey Devils left the ice as the losing team.
The good news for the Devils is the games don't yet count and there were plenty of positives - mostly from young players - in their disappointing loss to the New York Rangers.
I'll get right to it:
- The Devils made a bunch of cuts today. Joseph Blandisi and Vojtech Mozik, among many others, were reassigned to Albany while John Quenneville was sent back to Brandon.
I'm very surprised Blandisi was cut and didn't get at least another game to showcase himself.
He seemed to be more confident with the puck every shift and he was certainly not afraid to get his nose dirty to make things happen (he recorded five hits and a fight in the last two games).
On Saturday night Blandisi took a pass in the skates from Pavel Zacha on the man advantage and managed to handle it and get it in front quick for Stefan Matteau to bang home. He has points in consecutive games and was being rewarded with more ice time as a result. Only three forwards (Adam Henrique, Kyle Palmieri and Jacob Josefson) logged more minutes than Blandisi's 16:30 and they are all locks to be on the roster. No forward played more than Blandisi on the penalty kill, either, as he spent 2:35 playing in that situation.
- Reid Boucher was impressive once again. He scored a nice deflection goal on a Damon Severson point shot to open the scoring. He also played almost two minutes on the penalty kill and once again did not look out of place. John Hynes clearly trusts him in that role and it's definitely going to help his cause when Hynes and Ray Shero finalize the 23-man roster.
- I thought Stefan Matteau played his best game of the preseason. He made a couple nice passes that led to scoring chances and also potted a goal of his own. He was right saying he basically had a roster spot entering camp and it's his to lose. I don't think he's been great so far but I don't think he's played his way out of a spot, either.
- Pavel Zacha also put forth his best effort last night. He managed a shot on goal, had four hits and recorded an assist on Matteau's power play marker while playing over 14 minutes. He was also a positive possession player despite starting just 33% of his shifts in the offensive zone.
- Kyle Palmieri is a bulldog. Six shots, two hits and he was in the middle of every scrum. Nobody tell this guy he's 5'11".
- I continue to be impressed by Eric Gelinas. He's far from perfect but he seems to be a lot more comfortable in the defensive zone than we've seen in the past. And in case you forgot: he can still wire it.
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) September 27, 2015Prospect Updates - Defenseman Colton White registered an assist and four shots on goal in the Soo Greyhounds' 3-1 win over Niagara. He now has three assists in two games.
- White's teammate Blake Speers was held off the score sheet for the second game in a row but he did manage to tally four shots. He has seven shots through two games.
- Connor Chatham had a big game for Flint as they pulled out a 3-2 shootout win over Saginaw. Chatham scored a power play goal while recording a game-high eight shots.
- Prospects Mackenzie Blackwood and Josh Jacobs will be back in action tonight.
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