PRE-GAME STORY
The Devils head to Madison Square Garden tonight to face off with the Rangers as the preseason continues on. With just one game, instead of the previous split-squad, the group heading to New York will have a heavier NHL-feel to it.
On the ice for the morning skate were those players scheduled to play tonight :
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
Luke Debuts
After asserting after practice on Wednesday that he felt prepared to play in a preseason game, Luke Hughes is jumping into the lineup tonight at Madison Square Garden.
“I think it’s important, I’d say I’m ready to go right now," Hughes said on Wednesday. "I feel really good, I feel really good on the ice, and everyone is really excited around the rink to get started. I’m very excited.”
Despite having played already in the regular season and was part of the Devils' run in the post-season in 2023, this will be the first preseason game played by the rookie defenseman.
“Build off of where he left off last year,” Lindy Ruff said of his expectations of Luke, “He missed a little bit of our camp so I’ll be curious to see how he looks but first we know his strength is his skating, how quick he can move back and execute that first pass. He can get us out of the zone in a hurry, and the second part is being able to join and be part of our offense.”
A Look Into the Future
Most of this morning’s practice was centered on special teams practice and what was most notable was seeing the two defensemen who were quarterbacking the two units.
It was a glimpse into the (possibly near) future. Luke Hughes manned the blueline of the first power play unit, while Simon Nemec did the same on the second unit.
Three’s Company
Throughout training camp Tyler Toffoli, Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt have been a staple as a line. Their budding chemistry is evident, and the addition of Toffoli with his booming shot and gritty play is an ideal complement to both Hughes and Bratt’s styles of play.
In the split-squad games, the line was split with Bratt staying in New Jersey while Toffoli and Hughes traveled to Montreal, so we haven’t yet seen this line in game action. That changes tonight, as the three-man unit will get a good look together, listed as the top line headed to Madison Square Garden tonight.
"He makes us both better," Bratt said, "He's extremely smart. he sees the game really well. He's great on the walls, great net-front and obviously knows how to find the back of the net. I think he's a great player for me and Jack with our speed to find us in those areas. I've practiced with him a lot now but it's going to be exciting to get out there during a game and play with him for real."
In Net
The goaltending duties tonight will be split 50-50, per head coach Lindy Ruff. The likelihood is that Akira Schmid and Erik Kallgren will split the game against the Rangers, although the team did also have Jeremy Brodeur on the ice with the game group.
Not one to always talk about goaltending, Lindy Ruff was gracious enough to divulge his plan the rest of the way when it comes to his goaltenders. This will be the final game where the goaltending duties are split. After tonight, there will be four preseason games left and he will have Schmid and Vanecek each play two of the four remaining games in full.
Stitched Up
Nolan Foote was practicing today on the first power play unit alongside Jack Hughes, Bratt, Toffoli and Luke Hughes. In the midst of one of the drills and playing in the bumper position, Foote was hit with the puck directly in his face. He proceeded to skate off with a trainer but will be good to play tonight after receiving a few stitches.
