New Jersey Devils Destroy New York Islanders 6-2

The New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Islanders 6-2 last night. A 6-2 defeat amounts to a massacre in Hockey. However, this victory by the New Jersey Devils tells us why results in the preseason might not matter too much. Far more important than the New Jersey Devils’ lopsided victory is that we learned two important facts about the New York Islanders. The New Jersey Devils’ lopsided victory does not matter. Do you think the results in preseason games in the National Hockey League matter?

New Jersey Devils Defeat Islanders 6-2

Why are preseason game results not meaningful? Last night provides an indication. The New Jersey Devils had a lineup of mostly veterans. The Islanders played some veterans and a bunch of minor league players. With his lineup facing a mostly veteran Devils lineup, Islanders Head Coach Patrick Roy said his team could have had better puck management to prevent the Devils from capitalizing on turnovers, but he appreciated their grit through 60 minutes.  He said, “We knew it when the game started, they were the better team for sure.” We were outshot, but I felt like we never gave up I was pleased to see that.”

Roy also noted that Islanders Goaltender Marcus Hogberg looked solid under siege from the New Jersey Devils, as the Swedish netminder kept the Islanders in the game with 22 saves on 25 shots through 30:32 time on ice before he was replaced by Tristan Lennox, who allowed three goals on 13 shots. Lennox played just one game for the Islanders last year. Hogberg was the Islander’s third goaltender last season. He is not trusted by Roy, as the Isladers signed a goaltender with NHL experience, David Rittich, in the offseason.

Here is the scoring summary of the loss. At 13:52 into the first period, Dougie Hamilton scored on the power play for the New Jersey Devils. However, the Islanders tied the game up at 1 before the first period ended. 15:56 into the first period, Emil Heineman scored on the power play. Calum Ritchie got one of the assists.

The New Jersey Devils scored three goals in the second period. The goals were scored by Nico Hischier, Connor Brown, and Dawson Mercer. By the time it was over, the Devils led 4-1. In the third period, Ethan Edwards scored for the Devils, and then Evgenii Dadonov scored for them. It was 6-1. Then Ritchie scored to make the score 6-2 New Jersey Devils. That is how the game ended.

Calum Ritchie

The Islanders acquired Ritchie when they traded Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche. Ritchie was rated as Colorado’s best prospect. Now, he is one of the top prospects for the Islanders. He showed why in the preseason game against the New Jersey Devils last night. Ritchie (1 goal, 1 assist) had a two-point performance in his Islanders preseason debut, scoring his first goal in the third period and getting the primary assist on Emil Heineman’s opening tally for New York.

It was not enough to combat the New Jersey Devils’ goals from Hamilton, Hischier, Brown, Mercer, Edwards, and Dadonov. However, Ritchie showed he belonged and will almost certainly make the Islanders roster for the 2025-26 season.

Emil Heineman

The Islanders acquired Heineman when they traded Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens. Heineman was almost a throw-in of the trade, as the Islanders also got two first-round picks in the trade. One of those picks became Kashawn Aitcheson.

Heineman is expected to be a key component of the Islander’s fourth line this season. Last night, against the New Jersey Devils’ Heineman, the 23-year-old winger played well in his first game. He opened the scoring on the power play and found chemistry with Ritchie and Simon Holmstrom. The line combined for four points.

Conclusion

This could be a long season for the Islanders, but the score of this preseason game does not matter much. They did learn some positive news about two of their new players, Ritchie and Emile Heineman. Both should play for the Islanders this season, so we will get to see them. That said, the Islanders will be right on the line to get the eighth playoff spot in the conference; they should get in the high 80s with points. It could come down to the last game for them this season.