Good morning Devils fans. The Devils continue their 2-0 preseason run with a game tonight against the Rangers at the Garden, which you should be able to catch on MSG. According to Amanda Stein, the players for tonight’s game will be:

Forwards: J. Hughes, Nosek, McLeod, Lazar, Toffoli, Bratt, Thompson, Clarke, Foote, Willman, Bowers and Dowling

Defense: L. Hughes, Miller, Nemec, Marino, Bahl, Wotherspoon

Goalies: Schmid, Kallgren, Brodeur

While waiting for lines to be finalized, here’s my guess based on lines from practices yesterday:

Toffoli - Hughes - Bratt
Foote - Mcleod - Clarke
Willman - Nosek - Lazar
Bowers - Dowling - Thompson

Hughes - Miller
Bahl - Marino
Wotherspoon - Nemec

Schmid
Kallgren
Brodeur

The lineup for the Rangers based on USA Today’s Rangers beat writer Vince Mercogliano will be:

Kreider - Zibenajad - Lafreniere
Cuylle - Brodzinski - Kakko
Othmann - Bonino - Wheeler
Blidh - Henriksson - Belzile

Miller - Fox
Gustafsson - Schneider
Jones - Emberson

Shesterkin
Domingue

It will be interesting to see how the Rangers squad responds to taking on the Devils after last year’s playoff loss resulting in the firing of HC Gerard Gallant. New HC Peter Laviollete will look to make an impact early on in the preseason as a statement for what kind of team the Rangers will aim to be this year. Here are 3 predictions for tonight’s game:

1. Clarke and Foote will make a big impact.

This preseason’s main goal for the Devils’ offense should be to simulate the integration of young and up and coming Utica players into the roster. While the main headlines have usually been focused on Alexander Holtz, don’t be shocked if other players from the farm team carve a role for themselves on this roster, namely Graeme Clarke and Nolan Foote. Clarke has shown his capabilities in a mid-6 role with the Comets and a propensity for skillful finishing during the camps this summer. Foote, while still talented, looks to fill the role of a gritty bottom-6 forward, grinding into pressure and capitalizing on physical weakness regarding the opposing team’s defensive system.

2. Lafreniere will be desperate and dangerous

The Rangers former 1st overall pick from 2020 has a lot to prove this season. The French Canadian left wing has struggled his first three seasons in the NHL, totaling 91 points in 216 games. While those numbers aren’t terrible for an average player, that’s not the results you would like to see from your first overall pick. To be fair, Jack Hughes found difficulty at first in the big league but adapted, grew, and began producing over a point/game rate in his third year. Lafreniere recently signed a two year, $2.325M AAV contract. The next two seasons will be telling if he can thrive as a top 6 forward or should redefine his game as a depth piece. He’ll look to light the lamp tonight against the Devils.

3. Schmid and Shesterkin will not finish the game.

Expect both teams to look for balance as an approach to their goaltending for tonight. We are officially two weeks away from the season kicking off. Neither team should consider riding starting goalies hard for the preseason to avoid injuries or unnecessary strain. Given the offensive capabilities of the teams, particularly the Devils, I don’t see tonight being a low scoring affair or a shutout. The Devils will most likely have Schmid handle the first two periods with Kallgren wrapping it up.

As we wrap up, I wanted to take a moment and wish the best of luck to Cory Schneider as he announced his retirement yesterday. The 37-year-old Massachusetts native minded the net for the Canucks, Devils, and Islanders over his 13 year NHL career. Cory arrived at Newark through a draft pick swap in 2013, which resulted in Vancouver drafting Bo Horvat 9th overall. He wrapped up his tenure with a record of 171-151-58 with a save percentage of .918 and a goal allowed average of 2.48. His time with the Devils unfortunately was defined by general roster mediocrity, lackluster drafting and development, and personal injuries. Playing the “What If” game, I can definitely see a better legacy left behind if the Devils built a better team around him. At least he got a taste of playoff hockey for New Jersey in 2018 when we lost to Tampa Bay in 5 games. Thanks for everything, Cory. Sorry your prime wasn’t met with a better roster here.

What are your thoughts? Predictions for the game tonight? Any player you looking forward to seeing in tonight’s game? Your position on Cory Schneider’s Devils legacy?

Leave your thoughts and comments below. Raise Hell,

-Josh Biringer

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