Oct 4, 2023; New York, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) and New Jersey Devils left wing Erik Haula (56) face-off during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Gameday Preview: Devils vs. Rangers
The New Jersey Devils will host the New York Rangers for the first time this season on Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. The Devils did not hold a morning skate, and head coach Lindy Ruff will speak to the media at 5:00 P.M.
Jack Hughes rejoined his team at practice on Friday afternoon and is a game-time decision tonight. Per Ruff, there is no timetable for the return of Nico Hischier and Timo Meier.
Devils vs. Rangers - Prudential Center
Last season, New Jersey earned a 3-0-1 record versus New York. Jack Hughes has 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 16 games versus tonight's opponent, including points in his last five games. Seven Devils skaters enter tonight's game on point streaks: Erik Haula, Luke Hughes, Ondrej Palat, Curtis Lazar, Dawson Mercer, Jesper Bratt, and Dougie Hamilton.
The Rangers are first in the Metropolitan Divison (11-2-1). They are coming off a 4-3 shootout victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, where Artemi Panarin, Alexis Lafrenière, and Chris Kreider earned two points. Panarin enters tonight's game on a 14-game point streak (eight goals, 16 assists). Mika Zibanejad has 38 points in 39 games versus New Jersey.
- New Jersey's injury report includes Jack Hughes (shoulder) and Nico Hischier (upper body).
- New York's injury report includes Filip Chytil (upper body), Adam Fox (lower body), Igor Shesterkin (day-to-day), and Ryan Lindgren (day-to-day).
- Per the media notes, Rangers and Devils connections include Ruff playing for the Rangers from 1988-89 - 1990-91 and being an assistant coach from 2017-2020. Jimmy Vesey played 68 games with the Devils in the 2021-22 season, Brendan Smith played parts of five seasons with the Rangers, and New York associate coach Phil Housley played 22 games for the Devils during the 1995-96 season.
- The Devils have a power play percentage of 37.9, the best in the league. New Jersey's percentage at home is 28.6 (eight goals in 28 opportunities), while New York's percentage on the road is 34.6 (nine goals in 26 chances).
- The Rangers' penalty kill percentage on the road is 92.3. They've had a perfect penalty kill in four- straight games and five of their last six.
- The Devils are 1-3-0 this season when they do not score a power-play goal in a game.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Erik Haula - Jack Hughes - Curtis Lazar
Tyler Toffoli - Michael McLeod - Jesper Bratt
Ondrej Palat - Dawson Mercer - Alexander Holtz
Max Willman - Chris Tierney - Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton
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Kevin Bahl – John Marino
Brendan Smith – Luke Hughes
Colin Miller
Akira Schmid/Vitek Vanecek
**The above lines and pairs were used at the team's most recent practice. Tomas Nosek took a maintenance day on Friday, which explains why he was not in the lineup.
New York:
Chris Kreider -- Mika Zibanejad -- Blake Wheeler
Artemi Panarin -- Vincent Trocheck -- Alexis Lafreniere
Will Cuylle -- Nick Bonino -- Kaapo Kakko
Jimmy Vesey -- Barclay Goodrow -- Tyler Pitlick
K'Andre Miller -- Jacob Trouba
Ryan Lindgren -- Erik Gustafsson
Zac Jones -- Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcast on MSGSN. Bill Spaulding will handle play-by-play alongside analyst Ken Daneyko and host Erika Wachter. Fans can also listen on the Devils Hockey Network with Matt Loughlin on play-by-play.
