Devils test Rangers in first Hudson River rivalry game of season

The New Jersey Devils host the New York Rangers at Prudential Center on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the clubs’ first meeting of the season. The NHL schedule lists the game for 7 p.m. ET.

The Rangers enter at 6-2-0 after winning six of their past seven games. They have turned to Dylan Garand following Igor Shesterkin’s season-ending lower-body injury. In a report carried by The Big 1050, Garand said his approach remains the same whenever he is asked to play: stop pucks and compete for his teammates.

Alexis Lafrenière has supplied seven goals and 10 points in eight games for New York, according to the Devils’ preview. He scored twice against Tampa Bay on Tuesday and extended his point streak to five games, The Big 1050 reported.

New Jersey is coming off a 5-4 overtime victory in Detroit. Jack Hughes scored the winner and added two assists, while Jesper Bratt also finished with a goal and two assists. Both of Hughes’ goals this season have decided games in overtime, the NHL reported.

Johnathan Kovacevic made his season debut Tuesday. Luke Evangelista missed that game because of illness and did not participate in Thursday’s morning skate. The NHL reported on Oct. 15 that Evangelista was expected to miss a second consecutive game.