New Jersey Devils Lose Preseason Opener 4-2 vs. NY Islanders

[@subfail4810]

One thing that really stood out was Dougies presence out there. Getting pucks on net is so easy for him, and him being a distraction that other teams have to worry about on the powerplay is underrated

[@runninwiththedevils]

@subfail4810 For sure. The team collapsed without Dougie. He drives offense with his play, and keeps the puck out of our own end. He should have been nominated for the Norris in 22-23. He was THAT good!

[@yoholmes273]

Bratt is in regular season form. Bratter is butter on skates.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@yoholmes273 He is going to be a force this year AGAIN. 1G, 1A. Nice start. Showing the moves on that goal!

[@ritterengine1289]

The guy can skate!

[@carlospina3875]

Pre season undefeated curse is lifted!! Devils bringing the Cup home!!

[@runninwiththedevils]

@carlospina3875 haha! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@matthewwarnke170]

That is certainly one way to look at it LoL!

[@jasonrakoci]

Ya after last year going undefeated in the preseason and getting the jinx of that and having a horrible season, I just don’t care what the preseason record ends up being… Just get everyone warmed up and use to each other and give the youngsters some playtime Learn to work as a team with all the new additions and team strategies

[@blazekilla5553]

I saw a lot of things I liked tonight. Dillon bringing the physicality that were severely lacking, Markstrom looked really good in net. The goals he gave up were a deflection off Dougie's stick blade and a on timer on a 3-on-1. Hamilton also looked great in a physical sense, and as that deadly point shooter we love.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@blazekilla5553 We will only get sharper as the preseason goes on. Dillon is going to punish people all year long. Love to see it. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@WaltBTB]

Overall, I think they looked damn good tonight. There was nothing major to be alarmed about, especially given it was only the first preseason game after a short training camp. You could feel the team's energy and excitement to be back on the ice. I felt that the biggest stand out difference right away was that physicality and defensive presence. Kovasevic was rock solid, Dillon wanted to kill anything in a white jersey, Dougie was getting more space to work having that strong defensive partner to rely on... Just a lot of good things happening on a team with several new faces in and several key players out of the game. I'm pumped for this season. The final score isn't what matters (and credit to the Isles who also played a damn good game), what matters is the evidence of the Devils taking a step forward already! LFGD!!!

[@runninwiththedevils]

@WaltBTB HEAVIER, EDGIER, MORE VIOLENT!

[@mariad3798]

Great seeing you! Love the jacket! Couldn't agree more about Kovacevic as I had a good feeling about him and glad he didn't disappoint. Also glad to see more ice time for Bowers. I thought I was the only weirdo who actually misses driving to Newark! LGD! 😊

[@runninwiththedevils]

@mariad3798 Good seeing you Maria! Thanks! Kovacevic is a monster. I really like him. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@matthewwarnke170]

For the first time since Marty, I felt like we had an Ace in the net. The Devil's play on a completely different level when they get that "from the net out" feeling. I hope Allen has a really good start so our tandem can function and start generating wins when the Season begins. Preseason is fun. Bring on the real deal.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@matthewwarnke170 It does feel different when you have a stud between the pipes, I fully agree. I hope Markstrom gets the lion's share of the starts. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@zachw4829]

Dillon is going to be a force for this team! Excited to see him play as well as Cotter who seems like a sneaky good power forward.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@zachw4829 I think Dillon is going to be an absolutely tank for us. I am super excited for Cotter. He is going to have a breakout year. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@karacocozza5856]

Started to get flashbacks to last season during the third period a little but it's important to remember that a lot of important guys were held off the roster. I think this was a good first game and im excited for this season

[@runninwiththedevils]

@karacocozza5856 That lineup was nowhere near our real thing. We are going to be nasty. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@pulpmystic]

Loved seeing the red and black back in action. Bratt looked great. So did Nico. A little confused about replacing Wachter w Herzog, but at least Sal is still in. Can’t wait for these to count. LGD!!

[@runninwiththedevils]

@pulpmystic WE ARE BACK! I think Rachel is gonna be great. I haven't watched the telecast back yet. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@JacksonLevine-gn1iw]

It was a great game. Markstrom made great saves in the first period thought.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@JacksonLevine-gn1iw Markstrom is going to be huge for us

[@jasonrakoci]

Markstroms new goalies helmet is absolutely SICK! AWESOME DESIGN!

[@JoseAlvarez-bs6wq]

Hischier and Bratt were great playing together. Does Keefe really want to slit them up? Really liked the line of Cotter-Lazar-Bastian. Great to see Hamilton back on the ice. Markstrom was solid in goal.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@JoseAlvarez-bs6wq I think he will for at least the early games. We may see some scrambling of the lines until things settle down

[@blazekilla5553]

I don't know what this team is gonna do. Bratt Hischier and Meier have really good chemistry, but the Tatar-Hischier-Mercer line did damage 2 seasons ago.

[@JoseAlvarez-bs6wq]

@@runninwiththedevils After all, that is what preseason is for...

[@Nicksta101]

So good to see Hamilton out there. Missed him last year.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@Nicksta101 Dougie's return is going to be huge!

[@Jason-bo-Bason]

Having watched & followed them since 1987 I feel I know what I’m talking about. That being said what I liked was Markstrom & Kovasevic, what I loved was Hamilton, Bratt, Nico and the hitting. I would like to see Nico finish a game where he doesn’t look like he went 12 rd’s with Mike Tyson. The guy is relentless and I love him for it but he takes a beating, count how many times next game he’s on the ice but his skates aren’t bc someone knocked him down. I’ll bet it’s around 12. I worry about his longevity. Hopefully this tougher team means Nico doesn’t have to fight all the battles. Overall the game was decent. Felt like a split squad game. Lots of exceptional starters out and tryouts for some and a new coaching staff too it was 3-2 with an empty netter, next please!

[@runninwiththedevils]

@Jason-bo-Bason This team will be MUCH more physical than last year. HEAVIER, EDGIER, MORE VIOLENT! Nico does take a licking and keeps on ticking. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@djentleman7]

At least now we can't go undefeated in the preseason like last year 😅Was a pretty good high tempo preseason game for the most part. Would have liked to see Markstrom find a way to see and stop that second goal but he looked good for the most part. I noticed some sloppy decision making at times from Tatar, Palat, and others as the game progressed through the third. Overall things to like definitely, things to fix and work on as well. Standard preseason-ish game.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@djentleman7 Agreed. I would have liked to see Markstrom play the whole game! Preseason game 1 under a new coach. We will continue to improve. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@randomnameisrequiredapparently]

The main thing I noticed tonight was it seemed like most of the team was still knocking off the rust. The amount of times a devil lost control of the puck uncontested in the neutral zone actually made me chuckle a few times. No worries tho its only game 1 of preseason

[@runninwiththedevils]

@randomnameisrequiredapparently It will get better in time! Game 1 of preseason like you said. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@973Luca973]

I think this was a good test how will they do without guys like Jack, Mercer, Timo and even Haula. In other words we will not have a crisis without them. It's going to take time to dial in who can synchronize well with who and it will be a trial and error. It's impossible to do it in first few games. I was hoppy with what Kova, Cutter, Dillon brought to the game, Physicallity that was mutch missed, blocking shots etc it's all there. Once these guys are dialed in we are going to be a playoff team. I want to see what can healthy Jack do as well as what impact will Pesce will have also. Let's not forget about Kurtis...we have a shark in a water against the physical teams. Markstrom will do well for us, against not expecting magic first few games but he made some quality saved.

[@TheShadow590]

kovacevic and cotter both stood out in this game the most to me, if cotter can keep making plays that he was making he will be worth holtz and schmid imo its still really early so im trying to reserve judgement because i was furious about that trade but ive now gotten a glimpse of what we got back and so far i like what i saw, the meat line was in my opinion our best line, also palat had a good first preseason game which is a good sign, palat was more noticeable on the defensive side of things in this game but there were a lot of times i found myself saying nice play pally

[@mostlycrazyallthetime]

I keep seeing people complaining about the 3rd period..makes me wonder if they watched last season at all ...what didnt happen tonight compared to last year was ....the devils never got pinned in their own zone for multiple shifts in a row... that is the most important thing for this team ..

[@runninwiththedevils]

@mostlycrazyallthetime We definitely got bogged down in our own end often last year. This season will be a whole new world. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@cbonez2909]

I felt like this was the perfect preseason game. I don't look for the team to win. I look for them to tune up. They have to fine-tune this engine. We were rolling with basically our second and fourth line all night. And that's fine! when they went out on the ice they looked good. Markstrom not only is a big dude in the net but he plays the net big. Every time the islanders came down and took a shot at him I felt safe for the first time in a long time. Overall great first preseason. I expect the same tonight in the second game!!

[@ritterengine1289]

One take away was that they were extremely sloppy. Cotter looks like he will be a beast.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@ritterengine1289 Both teams were at points. It was Game 1 of the preseason, after 3 days of Training Camp under a new coach. We will be fine. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@TravelinDevil76]

Zero cause for concern considering it’s game 1 of preseason. The Giveaways were bad, but that’s probably due to off season rust. Bratt had 5. Nice seeing Nico with the early PP goal. 5, 29 and 49 got caught watching an end to ender. They looked like a fan in the stands watching the Islander’s player score that 3rd. goal. On to the next.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@TravelinDevil76 Agreed. Game 1. Time to get back to work Tuesday. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@sullivan2106]

Cotter looks like a player. Could have had three goals, he’s gonna be a big part of this team

[@runninwiththedevils]

@sullivan2106 I agree, I think he is going to surprise a lot of people! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@jasonrakoci]

Everyone blew off his signing as no big deal and I was telling everyone Kovy is actually a very good defenseman and can score and fight too He’s gonna get lots of time with the injuries

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jasonrakoci I like the dude alot, he is a monster for sure!

[@jamesvalenti9288]

Yeah I am with you, Ace. Definitely great to be back. Wish we won, but not bummed about this loss at all. Daneyko and Spaulding were saying that teams who go undefeated in the preseason usually have a cursed season....so, I am happy we will not be undefeated preseason. lol Markstrom was an absolute BEAST. Some of the saves he made were absolutely amazing. Dougie looked good. Not quite back to his old self yet, but that'll change as he gets into the groove. Lastly, the hits! OMG the hits! At one point, we had double the amount of hits the Islanders did. We are definitely heavier, edgier, and more violent...sending a message: We will not be pushed around anymore! Cannot wait to see the whole gang on the ice. Let's go, Devils!

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jamesvalenti9288 Marky is going to be an X factor. Dougie being back is massive for the team. His absence last year was a killer. HEAVIER, EDGIER, MORE VIOLENT! LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@ED-op7wk]

I’m of the mind that if we do good in the preseason we’ll stink during regular season, and vice versa. Preseason means nothing, it’s a time for coaches to experiment with lines more than anything else. They just better bounce back when the full roster of NHL level players are on the ice for the regular season, (and hopefully playoffs!)

[@runninwiththedevils]

@ED-op7wk Indeed. Preseason is a time to test and tinker.

[@sneakers8025]

Two things: 1. I'd like to see Cotter on the first line with Hughes and Bratt. Gretzky and Kurri had McSorely, so why not. Good luck catching those three speedsters. 2. Palat led the team in turnovers. Yikes!

[@runninwiththedevils]

@sneakers8025 I think we will see Cotter get chances on higher lines at points this season. He has some skill for sure.

[@blazekilla5553]

Why not? Maybe Jack will stop getting bullied if they have Cotter there, and he has nice mitts too.

[@Vividly2849]

I think markstrom played great. There’s gonna be mistakes but it’s preseason.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@Vividly2849 He made some big saves early. I expect him to get better as the preseason goes on. Game 1. Time for the next. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@PirateTijuanaJoe]

Great to see them back on the ice. They looked good, except Palat and Daws. I like Johnathan Kovacevic, alot. I dont get how the MSG broadcast kept pushing Cotter as the next best thing. I wasn't very impressed with our FO numbers, but it IS the first preseason game. Markstrom looked impressive, Daws, not so much.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@PirateTijuanaJoe Kovacevic was an amazing add for us. I think Cotter is going to have a breakout year. It was only the 1st preseason game, we were bound to look a little sloppy. Markstrom is going to be a monster this season. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@PirateTijuanaJoe]

@@runninwiththedevils Of course they will look a bit sloppy, it's the 1st preseason after a long summer and a lot of changes. They have a new sheriff in town and what sounds like a structure change. Which I personally applaud, that swarm bullshit Ruff was running was hard for me to watch. Keefe is going to use speed to block up the NZ and a relentless forecheck. This is music to my ears, lets hope our guys adjust to it during Preseason and we aren't leaving points on the table during the regular season due to immature irresponsible play.

[@sneakers8025]

Yes!

[@stikfigzz]

🤸😈WELCOME BACK DEVILS FANS 🤘🥰

[@runninwiththedevils]

@stikfigzz WE ARE BACKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!

[@stikfigzz]

Oh yeah. It's all coming together. 0-7 incoming.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@stikfigzz I definitely don't wanna see that!

[@stikfigzz]

@@runninwiththedevils Okay 1-6. Final offer.

[@blazekilla5553]

I would take that if it means 55-19-8 and a cup win

[@amagilegacy3335]

Ace I think you may have been on the jumbotron? Was a dude in a hat (I think) recording on his phone with a black jacket that said Devils on the back!

[@runninwiththedevils]

@amagilegacy3335 If I was, I had no idea, lol. I did not have a hat on. I had the same jacket on that I had on in this video.

[@amagilegacy3335]

@@runninwiththedevils I think it was you haha they zoomed in on your phone and your recording before zooming out on you!

[@runninwiththedevils]

@amagilegacy3335 That is funny, I never knew

[@amx._arrow]

At least no preseason curse 1!1!1

[@runninwiththedevils]

@amx._arrow This is true

[@Crazy_Alex_7667]

When’s the first normal season home game cause I wanna go to that

[@runninwiththedevils]

@Crazy_Alex_7667 Regular season home opener is 10/10 vs Toronto

[@JSnow-rv8ls]

Daws let in a really soft goal that shot cant go im the back of the net cotter looked really good jesper bratt look like he was in midseason form

[@runninwiththedevils]

@JSnow-rv8ls Cotter is going to be a BEAST for us. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@anthonymanganaro9942]

Did not see the game brother. Were we decent in goal?

[@runninwiththedevils]

@anthonymanganaro9942 Markstrom played the first 2 periods and was very solid. Daws played the 3rd and let in a pretty weak one.

[@mkchomponthis]

LGD.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@mkchomponthis LET'S GO DEVILS!!!

[@MIKE-mt5wz]

You should not refer to Newark as a "Wonderful Dump". Not funny to the people that live or work there..

[@GemCardCollecting]

White and Bowers are horrible. They need a lot of improvement.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@GemCardCollecting They won't be on the big club this year

[@GemCardCollecting]

@@runninwiththedevils I know brotha but they don’t look like they would even do well in the ahl 🤣

[@brendanplays3942]

I was there. Markstrom looked like an iprovement, but not a big jump. Hopefully he can get into his game. I was right in front of the glass behind his goal during warm ups. I think if he stayed in goal we would have pushed OT. Dougie looked a bit rusty

[@runninwiththedevils]

@brendanplays3942 Game 1 of the Preseason under a new coach. Markstrom and the team will be just fine. That goal Daws gave up was a bit weak. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!