The Devils will play their final preseason game versus the Islanders.
The Devils will play their final preseason game versus the Islanders.
This afternoon, the New Jersey Devils will travel to Elmont, New York, to play their final preseason game at 7:00 P.M. versus the New York Islanders. The club owns a 6-0-0 record and earned a 6-5 victory over the Islanders on Oct. 2. Jesper Bratt scored three goals, while John Marino collected three points.
The Devils did not hold a morning skate, but head coach Lindy Ruff revealed that Nathan Bastian will return to the lineup yesterday after practice. The 25-year-old has only appeared in one preseason contest. Per THN's Stefen Rosner, the Islanders held an optional skate that included Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat, Matt Martin, Adam Pelech, and Ilya Sorokin.
Devils @ Islanders - UBS Arena
New Jersey has outscored opponents 27-13 and, along with the Dallas Stars, are the only teams in the NHL that have not suffered a regulation loss this preseason.
The Devils' special teams are trending in the right direction, as the power play is eight for 18 (44.4%), and the penalty kill is 16 for 18 (88.9%), per the media notes.
Kyle Palmieri rejoined his team on Monday after suffering a pre-training camp undisclosed injury. The ex-Devil will not play his former team but is expected to be ready for the Islanders' regular-season opener.
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Forwards
Nate Bastian
Justin Dowling
Joe Gambardella*
Alexander Holtz
Curtis Lazar
Michael McLeod
Dawson Mercer
Tomas Nosek
Ryan Schmelzer*
Tyce Thompson
Chris Tierney
Max Willman
Defensemen
Kevin Bahl
Santeri Hatakka
Luke Hughes
Colin Miller
Simon Nemec
Brendan Smith
Goaltenders
Isaac Poulter
Akira Schmid
* Both Gambardella and Schmelzer were assigned to the Utica Comets on Sept. 29. Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News contacted the team, who confirmed both were recalled and added to tonight's lineup.
New York:
Simon Holmstrom - Bo Horvat - Mathew Barzal
Pierre Engvall - Brock Nelson - Julien Gauthier
Anders Lee - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Hudson Fasching
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech - Noah Dobson
Alex Romanov - Ryan Pulock
Sebastian Aho - Scott Mayfield
Ilya Sorokin
Ken Appleby
Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcast on MSGSN and MSG. Fans can also listen on the Devils Hockey Network.