Devils' Preseason Opener Ends in Shootout Loss to Rangers Despite Strong Performances From Bubble Players

The New Jersey Devils opened their 2023 preseason schedule with a hard-fought 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Rangers in a game that showcased several players battling for NHL roster spots while raising questions about defensive depth and injury concerns. The contest featured three lead changes before being decided in the skills competition, providing coaches and management with valuable evaluation material.

Power Play Success and Early Dominance

The Devils established control early when Vladislav Kolyachonok drew a penalty just under nine minutes into the game. On the ensuing power play, New Jersey executed their set play perfectly with Lenni Hameenaho working the right wall before feeding Seamus Casey at the point. Stefan Noesen positioned himself perfectly in the slot to deflect Casey's shot past Rangers goaltender Joonas Korpisalo at 8:43 of the first period.

Noesen's goal represented exactly the kind of net-front presence the veteran forward brings to the lineup. The 30-year-old winger, fighting for one of the final roster spots, demonstrated throughout the game why his intelligent puck management and responsible two-way play could be valuable to the Devils this season. His early tally set the tone for what would be a strong individual performance.

Extending the Lead Through Structure

New Jersey doubled their advantage in the second period through Ethan Edwards' perfectly placed one-timer from the faceoff circle. The well-designed play developed off strong cycle work from Matyas Melovsky, who fed Edwards skating low into the zone. The young defenseman showed excellent awareness to find open ice and made no mistake with his shot, ringing it off the iron and in.

The sequence highlighted New Jersey's offensive structure even in preseason action, with players demonstrating understanding of their roles in the system. Edwards' goal at 12:07 of the second period gave the Devils a 2-0 lead and continued his strong training camp showing as he competes for a depth defensive role.

Rangers Rally With Unlikely Sequence

The game turned in the third period starting with a bizarre Rangers goal just over three minutes in. Gabriel Perreault attempted to whip a pass through the slot that caromed off Matthew Robertson's skate, then Will Cuylle's hip before trickling past Devils netminder Nico Daws. The fluky tally gave New York life at 2-1.

The Rangers capitalized on momentum shortly after when Anton Blidh tapped in a loose puck during a delayed penalty situation. The Devils' defensive coverage broke down with the extra attacker on, and Daws found himself out of position after diving over the puck at the side of the net. The tying goal at 6:32 of the third period demonstrated the kind of focus lapses New Jersey will want to clean up as the preseason progresses.

Defensive Breakdowns Prove Costly

New York took their first lead at 10:24 of the third through an unfortunate own-goal. After Topias Vilen was taken into the boards in the offensive zone, the Devils failed to properly cover Matt Rempe in front. Scott Morrow's centering pass deflected off Vladislav Kolyachonok's stick and past Daws, putting the Rangers ahead 3-2.

The sequence highlighted New Jersey's occasional defensive zone struggles, particularly in handling bigger forwards like the 6'8" Rempe. The Devils allowed several high-danger chances off cycles and net-front battles, areas that will need tightening before regular season play begins.

Lombardi's Heroics Force Overtime

With time winding down in regulation, Amadeus Lombardi tied the game at 3-3 with just 1:44 remaining. The play developed from strong work by Stefan Noesen, who backhanded the puck from the end boards to Jesper Boqvist at the side of the net. After Boqvist hit the crossbar, the Devils maintained pressure and Lombardi fought through hooks and slashes to beat Korpisalo five-hole.

Lombardi's line with Noesen and Boqvist generated consistent pressure all night, with advanced metrics showing Noesen leading the team with 0.52 individual expected goals while Boqvist (0.25) and Lombardi (0.24) also created quality chances. The trio's chemistry could prove valuable as New Jersey makes final roster decisions.

Overtime and Shootout Drama

The Devils survived a dangerous moment in overtime when Lombardi took a slashing penalty, with Ethan Edwards, Marc McLaughlin and Artem Silaev combining for an effective penalty kill. At four-on-four, Ben Steeves nearly set up Lombardi for a tap-in on what would have been a two-on-one, but the pass was slightly too hard to redirect.

In the shootout, Will Cuylle scored the only goal by roofing a shot off the crossbar in the second round. New Jersey's shooters - Lenni Hameenaho, Topias Vilen and Lombardi - were all stopped by Korpisalo, sealing the 4-3 final for New York.

Casey Injury Raises Concerns

The Devils suffered a significant setback when defenseman Seamus Casey left the game after hurting himself on an awkward hip check attempt at the blueline. Head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed postgame that Casey would "miss some time," continuing a troubling pattern for the 20-year-old who has played just 75 games over his first two professional seasons due to various injuries.

Brutal injury for Seamus Casey. Definitely an awkward collision. He will miss some time, per Sheldon Keefe.

Casey's absence opens competition for the seventh defenseman spot, with several prospects making their cases during the game. The organization will need to evaluate whether the talented young blueliner's injury history affects his long-term projection.

Roster Implications and Standout Performers

Several bubble players strengthened their cases for NHL jobs. Noesen's responsible two-way game and net-front presence stood out, while Lombardi showed offensive creativity despite some defensive lapses. Ethan Edwards bolstered his case with a goal and solid penalty killing.

Nico Daws finished with 20 saves on 23 shots, though advanced metrics suggested he performed better than his .870 save percentage indicated. The young goaltender faced just 3.12 expected goals against, with all three Rangers tallies coming on unusual plays - a double deflection, a defensive breakdown with an extra attacker, and an own-goal.

Looking Ahead

While preseason results carry minimal weight, this game provided important evaluation opportunities for a Devils team balancing development and competitiveness. The strong showings from Noesen, Lombardi and Boqvist complicate roster decisions, particularly with salary cap considerations and waiver implications.

As the preseason progresses, these roster battles will intensify, with management needing to weigh short-term needs against long-term development. Casey's injury underscores the organization's need for defensive depth, while the performances of bubble forwards demonstrate the quality competition for final roster spots.