One thing is for sure, it is GREAT to have NHL hockey back. It has been far too long since we’ve had real hockey to watch. Especially when it comes to our New Jersey Devils.
The Devils began the preseason with a split squad set of action. Half of the squad played at home in front of the fans at the Prudential Center. The other half played at the Bell Centre against the Montreal Canadiens. They went 0-1-1 in the split squad, falling to Montreal 1-3, and fell in overtime to the New York Rangers 3-4.
There were some things to be excited about from both games, but there were also some things left to be desired once the games concluded. That is what preseason is for, seeing what you have in certain guys, not results. Sure, beating the New York Rangers is always fun, but if there was ever a time to just look at the positives, it would be the preseason.
We begin in Montreal. The game was for the most part a game that lacked offense from both teams. Something that stood out was the play of Blake Speers, who seems to have been around the organization for a long time. He scored a short-handed goal in the first period. It is very nice to see Speers score in the preseason, because even though he will likely not crack the opening day roster, it is good to have organizational depth, and Speers can provide that.
That would be all of the scoring for New Jersey for the rest of the game, which falls into the “to be desired” category. You always want to see your team score, and not much of that happened in Montreal. The real detriment, came in a 1:32 span in the third period in which the Canadiens scored 3 goals on MacKenzie Blackwood, this after Eddie Lack shut the door for the first two periods. It was nice to see Lack play very well for 40 minutes because this man is basically playing for his career, but it would be nice to see Blackwood finally step up in the organization in terms of goaltending.
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In Newark the Devils played the Rangers, and the only thing that happened it seemed was each team had to manage special teams. Out of 7 goals, only two were scored at even strength and one of them was a 3-on-3 overtime goal. The power play and penalty kill were the main factors in the game as the Devils had two power play goals and a short handed goal, and so did the Rangers.
The positive to come out of the game is the bubble roster players contributing is a great sign of what could come. John Quenneville and Nick Lappin each scored goals in this game (Lappin had two) which is good news for Devils fans. That could mean the tide has finally turned for them. There is one or maybe two roster spots available that need to be earned. There are also always injuries where guys will need to step up. Lappin and Quenneville are guys who could fit the bill this season.
You do not like to see the team lose at any time, but the preseason is not necessarily about results. It’s about seeing what you have and what you need to work on. There is plenty of good and bad to be taken out of Monday night’s games. The Devils will next have action on Thursday night against the New York Islanders.