The New Jersey Devils have played better each game as the preseason has progressed and on Friday night they finally got the results to show for it.
The Devils outshot the New York Islanders 27-23 and managed a 4-2 win when all was said and done.
Tonight they'll be looking to build on that as they host their biggest rival in the New York Rangers. Puck drop is at 7 eastern and can been seen on MSG, MSG+ and NHLN-US.
Let's take a look at the projected lineup for New Jersey:
Henrique - Josefson - Palmieri Boucher - Blandisi - Thompson Lorito - Zacha - Kennedy Matteau - O'Brien - Sislo
Greene - Severson Moore - Merrill Gelinas - Scarlett/Burlon
Schneider Wedgewood
What to watch:
- By all accounts Joseph Blandisi had a very impressive game Friday night as he scored a short handed goal, had a pair of shots, three hits, a fight and was a 62% possession player at even-strength. That was an eye-opening game for him that clearly made a good impression on the coaching staff. If he continues to play well he could very well earn a roster spot so a good game tonight would certainly help his cause.
- The Devils seem to be using Adam Henrique at wing to a) see how much they like him there and; b) prepare for the possibility of moving him to wing full-time so Blandisi or Pavel Zacha can play down the middle should they earn roster spots.
- Speaking of Zacha he hasn't stood out at all in the preseason games he has played in. If he wants to make the team - and it seems the Devils will give him every opportunity to do so - he'll need to play much better. I still think the Devils should and will send him back to Sarnia when all is said and done.
- Stefan Matteau's ice has been limited in both games he has played. It'll be interesting to see if that changes tonight assuming the game isn't a special teams battle like the last two Matteau played in were. He doesn't play special teams and I think his minutes have taken a big hit because of that.
**
Several Devils prospects opened up their OHL seasons on Friday night and the results were encouraging across the board.
Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 42-45 in a 4-3 Barrie overtime win over Kingston. The Colts were outplayed significantly (the shots were 45-27) but Blackwood stood on his head and that was the difference. He'll likely be one of the top goaltenders in the OHL this season.
Defenseman Colton White had a pair of assists in a 3-2 Sault Ste. Marie loss to Windsor while forward Blake Speers was held pointless but registered three shots on goal.
Lastly defenseman Josh Jacobs registered four shots on goal and had an assist in a 5-4 Sarnia loss to Erie.
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