Devils Secure Second Straight Preseason Win over Rangers

The ice at the Devils training camp shimmers under the high-arc lights, a frozen sheet waiting for the skates to bite. It is Tuesday, September 22, 2026, and the air hums with the friction of rubber on ice. After a decisive 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers the day before, the team moves from the roar of the game to the quiet precision of practice. Sheldon Keefe, the head coach, steps onto the boards, his voice cutting through the ambient noise of skates carving turns. The focus is sharp, the rhythm deliberate. This is not just a drill; it is a test of nerve and timing, a rehearsal for the season that looms just beyond the glass.

Cody Glass stands at the center of this intensity, his breath visible in the cool air. He speaks to the media, his words measured, reflecting the weight of the moment. Beside him, Luke Hughes, fresh from scoring against Dylan Garand, carries the energy of a man who has just etched his name into the preseason record. The team’s momentum is palpable, a tangible force that pushes through the ice and into the air. Every pass, every check, every shot on goal is a thread in the larger tapestry of a team coming together. The Rangers may have been outscored, but the real story is the cohesion of the Devils, a unit forging itself in the fires of competition.

Rangers defeat highlights team cohesion

The 3-2 win over the Rangers was more than a scoreline; it was a statement of intent. Timo Meier, Nico Daws, and Luke Evangelista all contributed to the victory, their performances a testament to the depth of the roster. The game was tight, physical, and filled with the kind of edge that only preseason games can provide. Keefe’s post-game remarks emphasized the importance of these early wins, not for the points, but for the confidence they build. The team is learning how to move together, how to communicate under pressure, and how to execute when the stakes feel high. This is the foundation upon which a championship contender is built.

Young players earn early chances

Amadeus Lombardi and Chisholm are seizing the moment, using their early opportunities in training camp to carve out roster spots. Their energy is infectious, a spark that lights up the bench and the ice. Nico Daws, in particular, is making a case for himself, his performance against the Islanders and the Rangers showing a maturity that belies his age. The Devils are not just looking for talent; they are looking for character, for players who will compete every shift. These young players are answering the call, their skates slicing through the ice with a purpose that is both personal and collective.

Leadership sets the tone for camp

Brett Pesce’s inclusion in the near-full NHL lineup for the second preseason game signals a shift in the team’s strategy. His presence on the ice is a reminder of the depth the Devils possess, a depth that will be crucial as the season progresses. The leadership of the veteran players is evident in the way they mentor the younger members of the team, their actions speaking louder than their words. The camp is a crucible, a place where players are tested and tempered. The Devils are emerging from it stronger, their resolve unshaken, their vision clear. The road to the Stanley Cup is long, but it begins here, on this ice, in this moment.