Hughes Brothers Headline Devils Lineup Against Rangers
New Jersey's regulars take the ice for the first time this preseason Monday night at Prudential Center, with the Rangers opening their exhibition schedule.
Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier are expected to make their preseason debuts Monday when the New Jersey Devils host the New York Rangers at Prudential Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET.
It is a near-total lineup turnover from Sunday's opener against the Islanders, which New Jersey won 2-1 on goals by Ryan Schmelzer and Connor Brown.
The combinations carry over from the opening days of training camp. Jack Hughes centers Anthony Mantha and Bratt. Hischier slots between Meier and Luke Evangelista. Arseny Gritsyuk, Evan Rodrigues and Dawson Mercer form the third line, while Jesper Boqvist and Stefan Noesen flank Marc McLaughlin on the fourth.
On defense, Luke Hughes pairs with Brett Pesce, and Jonas Siegenthaler goes with Dougie Hamilton. Topias Vilen and Mikael Diotte complete the group.
Devils coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed Sunday that Jake Allen and Nico Daws will split the game in goal. Evangelista will make his first preseason appearance in a Devils uniform, and Mantha will debut alongside Jack Hughes and Bratt with a role on the power play.
The Rangers are opening their preseason. Their 48-player camp roster includes newcomers Pavel Dorofeyev, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen at forward, plus Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi on defense.
The teams meet again Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
