The New Jersey Devils prepare to host the New York Rangers at the Prudential Center on Monday, September 21, featuring a nearly full NHL-caliber lineup that contrasts sharply with their opponent’s younger roster, according to previews from Yahoo Sports and Inside The Rink. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST, with local television coverage provided by MSGSN and streaming options available via Gotham Sports Streaming and DAZN.
Devils Roll Out Veteran Lines for Preseason Matchup
Monday’s contest marks a rare preseason configuration for the Devils, who will ice three full NHL lines and two NHL defensive pairings. According to Yahoo Sports, only one player on the New Jersey roster did not see NHL action last season: Mikael Diotte, who recorded eight points in 53 games during his debut year in the American Hockey League. The remaining roster features established contributors alongside notable newcomers.
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Forward Luke Evangelista makes his Devils debut following a trade from the Nashville Predators and a subsequent contract extension. Last season, Evangelista appeared in 81 games, notating 56 points on 12 goals and 44 assists with a plus-one rating, as reported by Inside The Rink. New Jersey’s projected top forward combinations include Timo Meier centering Nico Hischier and Evangelista, alongside a line featuring Anthony Mantha, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt.
In goal, Jake Allen and Nico Daws are slated to split playing time, with Allen expected to work a single period. Yahoo Sports notes that Allen enters camp with little to prove, whereas Daws receives an extended look to solidify his standing within the organization’s goaltending depth chart.
Rangers Deploy Youth and Physical Presence
By contrast, the New York Rangers arrive at the Prudential Center with a developmental lineup. The visitors finished the previous campaign eighth in the Metropolitan Division with a 34-39-7 record and 77 points, going 1-2-0 against New Jersey while averaging 3.3 goals per game in the head-to-head series, according to Inside The Rink.
The Rangers’ roster features former Devils Dennis Cholowski and Justin Dowling alongside prospects such as Adam Sykora and Liam Greentree. Greentree joins the organization following a trade from the Los Angeles Kings that sent Artemi Panarin the other way; in 52 Ontario Hockey League games with the Windsor Spitfires last season, Greentree posted 74 points (38 goals, 36 assists) and added 14 points in 13 playoff contests, per Inside The Rink.
Yahoo Sports highlights that the Rangers will also dress physical forwards like Anton Blidh, Dylan Roobroeck, and Matt Rempe, requiring the Devils to maintain discipline against an opponent relying heavily on grit to establish presence.
Fourth-Line Battles and Roster Decisions
Beyond the top lines, attention centers on New Jersey’s bottom-six forward competition. Stefan Noesen and Jesper Boqvist are directly competing for a depth forward roster spot heading into the regular season. Yahoo Sports indicates that this internal battle could drive a high intensity level from the fourth line as players vie to avoid waivers and secure spots in Utica or Newark.
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Following Monday’s game, the New York Rangers return home to face the New York Islanders on Tuesday, September 22, while the New Jersey Devils travel to meet the Rangers on Thursday, September 24.
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