After a long summer, Devils hockey is back.
Tonight the Devils will open their six-game preseason schedule against their biggest rival in the New York Rangers.
While the lineups are more watered down than any version we'll see in October, plenty of talent will suit up for both sides. Henrik Lundqvist will get the nod in goal for New York, and headlines a relatively good lineup.
Rangers lines: Chris Kreider - Kevin Hayes - Danny Kristo Tanner Glass - Chris Mueller - Jasper Fast Carl Hagelin - J.T. Miller - Ryan Bourque Ryan Malone - Matthew Lombardi - Martin St. Louis
Marc Staal - Dan Boyle Mike Kostka - John Moore Steven Kampfer - Matt Hunwick
Henrik Lundqvist Cam Talbot
Note: Lundqvist and Talbot will split the game.
Devils lineup (guessing line combos): Dainius Zubrus - Patrik Elias - Martin Havlat Reid Boucher - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder Ruslan Fedotenko - Jacob Josefson - Stefan Matteau Cam Janssen - Tim Sestito - Jordin Tootoo
Eric Gelinas - Adam Larsson Tomas Kaberle - Mike Komisarek Dan Kelly - Damon Severson
Scott Clemmensen/Keith Kinkaid
Pre-game notes:
- Kinkaid and Clemmensen are the two lead dogs expected to battle it out for the backup spot, so the preseason is extremely important for them. If they both play half tonight will be a good measuring stick to see where they're at.
- Gelinas and Larsson are both expected to be on this year's team, and quite possibly play on the same pairing. That duo worked very well together last season, so it'll be interesting to see if the pick up where they left off.
- Zubrus - Elias - Havlat could very well be the team's 2nd line, so them meshing early would be a good sign. If they can do that, it'll allow Pete DeBoer to use Henrique with two of Clowe/Brunner/Ryder/Boucher/etc. while keeping Mike Cammalleri with Travis Zajac and Jaromir Jagr, which would give them three legitimate scoring lines.
- Through camp Josefson's name is one we've been hearing a lot of. He needs to take a step forward to establish himself as a regular on this team, and that starts tonight.
- New Jersey has 14 forwards on one-way deals but Lou Lamoriello has said Boucher and Matteau will be given opportunities to make the team. They have a lot of competition, obviously, so they'll really need to make an impact.
- Lastly: four training camp tryouts are in the lineup, and Lamoriello didn't promise them a certain amount of games, so if they want to keep playing and be given another opportunity they'll need to prove themselves.
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