The Devils had a lot to like in their trip to Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, even if the result didn’t hold. New Jersey built a 3-1 lead through two periods in its penultimate preseason game, then watched the Rangers claw back with three straight goals before winning 4-3 in a shootout.
For a roster heavy on AHL players, the Devils still had a few names worth watching closely. Jesper Boqvist, Amadeus Lombardi and Stefan Noesen skated together on the top line, while Nico Daws got his first full official start in net.
Noesen made an early statement. On New Jersey’s first power play of the night, he planted himself in front of the crease and redirected the puck past Joonas Korpisalo for a 1-0 lead. It was the kind of goal that fits his game perfectly: workmanlike, physical and right where the danger is.
That finish also served as a reminder of what Noesen can bring when he’s rolling. He looked more comfortable as the game went on, showing the net-front presence and scoring touch that made him such an important piece for the Devils during the 2024-25 campaign. After missing significant time last season with a knee injury, building rhythm has been a big part of his preseason.
And the stakes are real. Noesen is still fighting for a place on the opening-night roster, with competition tightening for bottom-six and depth-forward jobs. A performance like this doesn’t lock anything in, but it certainly helps his case.
Lombardi kept making his own case, too. The 23-year-old forward was again one of New Jersey’s most noticeable skaters, using his speed and puck control to create chances and push offense when the Devils needed it. He was part of two of the team’s three goals and delivered the late equalizer that kept New Jersey alive in the closing minutes of regulation.
That’s been the theme for Lombardi all preseason: he keeps showing up. Against a group of more established NHL players, he continues to look like someone trying to force the issue and prove he can handle the pace and physical edge of the league.
Boqvist did his part as well. He picked up the primary assist on Lombardi’s goal and contributed in a few different situations, giving the Devils some useful offense while carrying the benefit of NHL experience and familiarity with the organization.
But he’s not cruising into a spot either. The forward group is crowded, and every preseason game matters.
The edge in this one wasn’t just about lineup battles. It felt like a Devils-Rangers game once the hits started landing. The second period brought the kind of nastiness you’d expect between these teams, and four minutes in, a heavy hit led to a fight between Marc McLaughlin and Marc Del Gaizo.
It started after Del Gaizo threw a big hit on Lombardi, and McLaughlin jumped in right away to answer for his teammate. Gloves came off immediately, and the rest of the night kept that same temperature, with shoves and words flying around the net.
Even with mostly AHL-heavy lineups on the ice, the rivalry still had plenty of bite.
The Devils finish the preseason Saturday night on the road against the Islanders at 7:30 PM ET, then open the regular season at home on Oct. 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
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