Devils Close Preseason With 4-1 Win Over Islanders
New Jersey defeated the New York Islanders 4-1 at UBS Arena to finish its preseason schedule. Luke Evangelista scored twice and added an assist while skating with Nico Hischier and Timo Meier. The game also offered a look at the Devils' bottom-six plans and penalty kill.
New Jersey wrapped its exhibition slate by defeating the Islanders 4-1 at UBS Arena, after earlier beating them 2-1 at Prudential Center. Luke Evangelista, skating with Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, scored twice and helped set up the first goal. He also saw time on the top power-play unit and finished with three shots and six attempts in 14:57.
The third line of Arseny Gritsyuk, Evan Rodrigues, and Dawson Mercer combined on a quick second-period goal. The fourth unit of Amadeus Lombardi, Cody Glass, and Connor Brown generated ten five-on-five shot attempts while allowing one. With Nick Bjugstad sidelined four to six months after pectoral surgery, Lombardi may earn an opening-night spot.
The outcome may shape how fans and analysts view New Jersey's depth, especially after offseason additions and an injury opening a roster chance. Players competing for bottom-six roles could see their opportunities shift, while supporters may become more engaged if Evangelista's early scoring continues. For the wider hockey audience, such preseason developments may influence media discussion, fantasy decisions, and ticket interest, though exhibition results often carry limited predictive weight.