New Jersey is 5-0-0 this preseason.
It was a battle to the final horn when the New Jersey Devils hosted the New York Islanders on Monday at Prudential Center. A game that began with the Islanders scoring goals on their first two shots turned in the middle frame when the Devils scored four goals.
Jesper Bratt scored a preseason hat trick and had a four-point night, while defenseman John Marino scored two goals and added an assist. New Jersey would eventually earn their fifth preseason win, a 6-5 victory over their opponent.
Lineup versus Islanders
New Jersey
Tyler Toffoli - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt
Tomas Nosek - Michael McLeod - Nathan Bastian
Chris Tierney - Curtis Lazar - Tyce Thompson
Max Willman - Justin Dowling - Graeme Clarke
Kevin Bahl - John Marino
Luke Hughes - Colin Miller
Daniil Misyul - Simon Nemec
Akira Schmid (Full Game)
Vitek Vanecek
New York:
Anders Lee - Bo Horvat - Mathew Barzal
Pierre Engvall - Brock Nelson - William Dufour
Ruslan Iskhakov - Karson Kuhlman - Oliver Wahlstrom
Matt Martin - Casey Kizikas - Julien Gauthier
Calle Odelius - Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov - Grant Hutton
Sebastian Aho - Scott Mayfield
Ilya Sorokin
Kenneth Appleby
Five Things
1. The Comeback Kids
Last season, the Devils earned the nickname the comeback kids when they earned 21 come-from-behind victories by the end of February.
Schmid allowed goals on the first two shots he faced, making it a less-than-ideal start for the netminder, but as the game progressed, the 23-year-old settled in. New Jersey was down 2-1 early in the second period, but an explosive 10 minutes changed the game's momentum. Even though he gave up five goals, Schmid made vital saves in the final frame as the Islanders fought to tie the game.
2. Bastian Returns to Game Action
Bastian played his first preseason game on Monday night After recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Upon arriving at camp, the Kitchener, Ontario native wasn't sure he would even be able to skate with his teammates.
Well, he's come a long way, and against the Islanders, he played a little over 17 minutes alongside Michael McLeod and Tomas Nosek. He was on the ice for a couple of goals against and took a penalty in the third period, but head coach Lindy Ruff still felt he received a strong game from his depth winger.
"I thought (he was) strong on the walls, hung onto pucks. For a first game, I thought (Bastian) handled the game well," he said.
3. A Tough Night for L. Hughes and Nemec
Say it with me: rookie defensemen will make rookie mistakes.
Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec each earned an assist Monday night, but their crisp passes that led to goals only told part of the story.
"I thought maybe my two young defensemen (L. Hughes and Nemec) struggled a little bit," said Ruff." They did some good things, obviously, but there are areas of the game that I thought (they were) not quick enough. You look at almost not getting back quick enough on the power play and almost giving them an opportunity when not much else was going on. It's NHL pace, and you've got to be ready for it."
Pace, timing, and choosing when to pinch in and stay back will come as the two youngsters get more game reps. Both blue-liners will go through growing pains as they continue to develop. Monday night was a reminder that even though they are projected to become top defensemen, they are still kids who will experience the ups and downs that every player goes through.
4. The Toffoli - Hughes - Bratt Line
New Jersey's top line continues to prove why they should be kept together when the regular season kicks off on Oct. 12. The trio combined for eight points versus New York, and they look like they are already in midseason form.
"I thought that line made some really nice plays," Ruff said. "They zipped it around. They had some really good possession. I think that takes time. They've been together all of camp. The fact that tonight they were able to find each other the way they did it's a product of playing together."
5. John Marino's Offensive Night
The 26-year-old finished Monday night's game with two shots on goal, two goals, and one assist. Even though it was preseason, it was a big night for the defenseman who last earned three points (three assists) on April 6, 2023, versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.
"Obviously (Marino) had a good night, said Ruff during his post-game presser. "He had a couple of great opportunities and scored a heck of a goal. He's been in on some big goals (even) if you go back to Game 7 versus the New York Rangers, he had a big opportunity. That's part of the way we want to play. We need our defensemen involved."