Game #1

New Jersey Devils (0-0-0) vs. Buffalo Sabres (0-0-0)

Puck Drop: 1:00 PM EST | O2 Arena | Prague, CZE

TV: MSG-B, NHL Network (nationally)

Know Your Opponent

New Jersey Devils

Record: 0-0-0 | 0 PTS

Last Game: N/A

Division Ranking: N/A

PP: N/A

PK: N/A

What to Watch

1. Let the Season Begin

Finally… the NHL season is here! The Sabres and Devils kick off the regular season with a pair of games in Prague, before the rest of the league opens its slate on Tuesday. You know what that means, right? If the Sabres sweep the series in Czechia, they’ll be first place in the NHL by a four-point margin. Hey, it’s something.

Realistically speaking, there’s a lot to be excited for this season. JJ Peterka looks poised for a breakout season. It should be another good year for Tage Thompson. Dylan Cozens seems fired up. And hey, even the third and fourth lines look fun on paper. The competition between Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi for the starter’s net will be thrilling. And of course, watching Rasmus Dahlin flourish as captain will be something everyone loves to see.

2. Hey Lindy…

The new Lindy Ruff era is upon us, and I think we’ll see a very different Sabres team from last season – not just because of the player changes on the ice, but the mentality, effort and focus overall. If you haven’t yet seen the episodes of “The Blue & Gold Standard” that the team is putting out, it’s appointment viewing. They offer a fun glimpse into Lindy’s return to Buffalo, his life off the ice, his mentality on it and what he expects for the team.

3. The Devil Approaches

The New Jersey Devils certainly have their fair share of offensive threats. Jesper Bratt was their leading scorer last year, with 27 goals and 56 assists for 83 points in 82 games. Jack Hughes only skated in 62 games last season but still put up 74 points. Nico Hischier & Timo Meier also had 50-plus point seasons.

Also of note, defenseman Seamus Casey is expected to make his NHL debut on the blueline. The 20-year-old was drafted by the Devils in 2022 with the 46th overall selection and spent the last two years playing at the University of Michigan. From the backend, he had 45 points (7-38) in his last collegiate season and added six assists in as many games at the World Juniors for Team USA.

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Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn
Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Jordan Greenway
Beck Malenstyn – Sam Lafferty – Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Defense

Rasmus Dahlin – Henri Jokiharju
Bowen Byram – Owen Power
Mattias Samuelsson – Connor Clifton

Goalies: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (projected starter), Devon Levi

New Jersey Devils

Forwards

Timo Meier – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt
Tomas Tatar – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat – Erik Haula – Stefan Noesen
Paul Cotter – Curtis Lazar – Nathan Bastian