Lineup Changes Ahead of Devils vs Rangers | PREVIEW

NEW JERSEY DEVILS (16-9-2) vs. NEW YORK RANGERS (13-9-1)

New Jersey takes on its Hudson River Rivals for the first time this season at Madison Square Garden.

You can watch on MSGSN or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

Read below for your game preview and pre-game story below. Tonight's game is presented by Jaeger Lumber.

MORNING SKATE RECAP

NEWARK, N.J. - There were some new faces at morning skate and two players not in attendance. Jack Hughes did not participate in morning skate but is expected to play according to the Devils. Tomas Tatar, who was designated as day-to-day, also did not participate in morning skate. Head coach Sheldon Keefe gave an update on Tatar following morning skate.

“He’s day-to-day,” Keefe shared. “He’s certainly improving. I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t available for our next game later in the week.”

When it comes to new faces, forwards Mike Hardman and Nathan Légaré were recalled from the Utica Comets and will draw into the lineup on the Dowling line. Forward Shane Bowers was assigned to the Comets in a corresponding move.

Légaré confirmed that he would make his NHL debut tonight. He reflected on the journey to make it to this point.

“All the sacrifices my parents did when I was young,” Légaré reflected on the work to get to this point. “They’re the biggest impact for me. All the work that I put the last couple of years worked out pretty well.”

Légaré has family and friends driving down from Quebec for the game and his father had to ditch work today to make his debut.

“I was waiting to see if I was in the lineup,” Légaré explained. “(I got) the news, I texted them and they’re on their way … (My dad) was working and he told his boss that he might skip the day today so it was pretty funny.”

Hardman is excited for the opportunity to play another NHL game after spending last season in the AHL. The forward has been a key part of the Comets offense this season as he has five goals and three assists through 10 games.

“Last year I was in the minors the whole year,” Hardman explained. “I just think this call up’s a little extra special. Just working hard and not really knowing when I was going to get the next opportunity. When I got that call yesterday it was really exciting to call my parents and just really excited for this opportunity.”

Hardman and Légaré have only played one shift together this season and as they play together tonight Légaré is determined to make it count.

“We had one shift with each other this season,” Légaré recounted. “He made a nice pass and I just missed the net. So I told him that tonight I’m going to hit the net.”

Coach Keefe discussed what he’s seen out of Hardman and Légaré with the Comets and what led to them being called up this week.

“I’ve liked what I’ve seen from those guys,” Keefe said about the call ups. “Those that have been watching … they believe that they’re both playing really well. Utica has really found their footing and is rolling as a team and these guys have been a big part of that. Having three forwards out it creates opportunities. We’ve given Foote and Bowers a chance, now it’s an opportunity to give a couple other guys a look.

“I just think there’s some pace and physicality to their game,” Keefe continued. “Some heaviness. Both are stronger guys and (have) a good enough skill set to hang on to pucks and spend some time in the offensive zone so it’s good to have them in.”

Talking About Practice

Here's how the Devils lined up at morning skate:

Rivalry Night

Monday is the first of four meetings between the Devils and Rangers this season. Brett Pesce grew up in the area and has watched plenty of Devils Rangers games throughout his life. Monday night will be his first time participating in the Hudson River Rivalry.

“Really cool for sure,” Pesce said about the opportunity. “Grew up watching the Rangers Devils series, all the rivalries and playoff series (between the two teams). To be a part of it, I never thought I would to be honest. I’m just happy to be here and enjoy it.”

Tonight will also be Coach Keefe’s first time participating in the rivalry and he’s excited for the opportunity to be behind the bench tonight.

“I’m excited to be on the inside of it,” Keefe explained. “A good group of our team is very aware of it so I’m certainly excited. We closed one divisional rivalry with Washington in the regular season and we get open another one tonight.”

He Said It

Brett Pesce on having better starts to games:

“I think just really valuing the start of games is important for us. Whether it’s throwing a hit or simplifying our game maybe. Just getting the puck deep or grinding them (down) on the forecheck or whatever it is. But I think we all know we have to be better at the start of the game and hopefully we can do that tonight.”

THE SCOOP

The Devils enter Monday looking to bounce back from a 6-5 loss at home to the Washington Capitals. New Jersey fought back from multiple deficits, including in the third period; however, couldn't find the game tying goal in the final minutes of the contest. Even with the loss, New Jersey had a strong stretch in November, winning nine of their 14 games and four of their last six.

New Jersey's power play remains red-hot. The Devils are scoring 33.7% of the time with the man-advantage, which has them ranked as the top power play in the NHL. On the flip side of special teams, the Devils penalty kill, despite giving up three power-play goals Saturday, has been very strong in the first quarter of the season. Currently ranked ninth in the league, New Jersey has a large pool of players to choose from when it comes to the kill including forwards Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. The Devils also are in the top-10 for goals for per games played (3.48) and goals against per games played (2.78).

Nico Hischier leads the Devils in goals with 15 and the Captain picked up his first career hat trick on Nov. 25. Jack Hughes' 21 assists are a team-high while his 30 points are second on the Devils. Jesper Bratt leads New Jersey with 31 points and is second with 20 assists. Stefan Noesen, who has 13 goals this season (2nd), is one goal away from matching the most goals he's scored in a single season (14). Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen make up the Devils goaltending tandem. Markstrom has a 11-6-1 record through 18 games played. He's averaging 2.62 goals against per game and has a .902 save percentage. Allen has a 5-3-1 record through nine games played. He's averaging 2.70 goals against per game and has a .907 save percentage. Following the Devils game in New York, New Jersey returns home for a five-game homestand.

The Rangers snapped a five-game losing skid with a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Kaapo Kakko's power-play goal with 24 seconds left in regulation secured the two points. Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, and Artemi Panarin also had goals in the win. In their last ten games, the Rangers have gone 4-6-0 and currently sit fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 27 points.

When it comes to special teams, the Rangers power play and penalty kill units are both in the top-10. New York's power play had three goals against the Canadiens and is 10th best in the NHL while the penalty kill is second in the league. The Rangers are the fourth best faceoff team in the NHL and Trocheck's 59.7% win rate is sixth in the league. New York is conceding the seventh fewest goals per game in the league (2.83) while scoring the tenth-most goals per game (3.26).

Artemi Panarin's 13 goals and 28 points are team-leads while his 15 assists are the second-highest on the Rangers. Adam Fox leads New York with 20 assists. Chris Kreider and Will Cuylle are tied for second-most goals with nine, while Cuylle's 20 points are tied for second-most on the roster. Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick make up New York's goaltender tandem. Shesterkin has a 8-8-1 record through his 17 games. He's averaging 2.93 goals against and has a .913 save percentage. Quick has played seven games and has a 5-1-0 record. He's averaging 2.03 goals against and has a .936 save percentage.

Monday's game is the second of five straight at home for the Rangers who will next host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.

WHO’S HOT

Devils: Captain Nico Hischier continues to contribute on the scoresheet consistently for the Devils. With seven points in the last five games, five of which were goals, Hischier leads New Jersey in goals (15) and is in the top-3 for points (27). Hischier is more than just his offensive output. His strong two-way play, ability to perform in clutch situations, and significant roles in both special teams units has Hischier averaging over a minute more per game in ice-time than his previous career-high (2023-24, 19:29). His faceoff win percentage, 55.6%, is 23rd in the NHL. Hischier continues to be an all-around player and a leader on and off the ice for the Devils.

Rangers: Will Cuylle's five points in the last five games lead the Rangers during that span. Cuylle is riding a four-game points streak (2g-3a) starting with two goals against the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 25. In his third season with New York, Cuylle is four goals away from matching his previous single season career-high (13) and he already has suprassed his single season career-high in assists with 11 helpers through 23 games.

INJURIES

Devils: Tatar (lower-body, day-to-day), Bastian (jaw, IR), Lazar (knee, IR), Hatakka (shoulder)

Rangers: None

REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS

• Dec. 2 @ NYR
• Dec. 23 vs NYR
• Jan. 9 @ NYR
• Apr. 5 vs NYR

GAME NOTES

• New Jersey has recorded 37 goals in the second period this season. That leads the NHL.
• Timo Meier's assist on his fellow countryman's goal in the first period of Saturday's game was his 400th NHL point. Meier also assisted on the Devils fifth goal against the Capitals. Through 567 career games, Meier has 199 goals and 202 assists for 401 points.
• The Devils are averaging the sixth most shots on goal in the NHL with 30.3.
• The Rangers scored on three of their six power play opportunities Saturday. The win over Montreal was the second game this season in which New York has scored three power play goals.*
• In 11 of their 13 wins this season, the Rangers have held opponents to two goals or less. Since the start of last season, the Rangers have posted a 49-1-0 record when they've allowed two or less goals (not counting team goals awarded for a shootout win).*

*Per NY Rangers Game Notes