3 Takeaways From Devils’ 4-3 Preseason Overtime Loss Against Rangers

On Thursday, Sept. 24, the New Jersey Devils visited Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Rangers in their penultimate preseason game. Both lineups were more American Hockey League (AHL) heavy, though the Devils roster had a few notable spots, particularly the top line of Jesper Boqvist, Amadeus Lombardi, and Stefan Noesen, as well as Nico Daws getting his first full official start in net.

The Devils came out strong early, building a 3-1 lead through the first two periods. However, the Rangers scored three unanswered goals before ultimately defeating the Devils 4-3 in a shootout.

Noesen Scores On the Power Play

After a difficult 2025-26 season, Noesen reminded everyone of the player who made such an impact for the Devils during the 2024-25 campaign. On New Jersey’s first power-play opportunity of the night, Noesen did what he does best, positioning himself in front of the net and deflecting the puck past Rangers goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to give the Devils an early 1-0 lead.

Noesen looked noticeably more comfortable throughout the game, showing flashes of the physicality, net-front presence and scoring touch that made him such a valuable part of the Devils’ lineup. After missing significant time last season because of a knee injury, getting back into a consistent rhythm has been an important part of his preseason.

With the regular season now just days away, Noesen has plenty to prove. His spot on the Devils’ opening-night roster is far from guaranteed, particularly with increased competition for bottom-six and depth-forward roles. A strong preseason could go a long way toward reminding New Jersey’s coaching staff what he can bring to the lineup when healthy.

Boqvist – Lombardi – Noesen Line Compete for Spot

Boqvist, Lombardi and Noesen all entered the game with plenty at stake, as each is competing for a role on New Jersey’s opening-night roster. With the regular season quickly approaching, Thursday’s matchup gave the three forwards another chance to make their case and impress the coaching staff.

The three forwards combined for two of New Jersey’s three goals, with Lombardi providing the late equalizer to keep the Devils alive in the final minutes of regulation. Lombardi once again stood out. His skating ability and puck control were evident throughout the game, allowing him to create chances and generate offense when the Devils needed it most.

For Lombardi in particular, the performance continued what has been an impressive preseason. The 23-year-old forward is competing against more established players for an opportunity to begin the season in New Jersey, making every game an important opportunity to show that he can handle the pace and physicality of the NHL.

Boqvist, meanwhile, has the advantage of NHL experience and familiarity with the organization, but still faces competition for a spot in a crowded forward group. He had the primary assist on the Lombardi goal and was overall able to contribute offensively and play in different situations. 

Devils-Rangers Rivalry Very Much Alive

The physicality picked up as the game progressed, with plenty of big hits, scrums and post-whistle pushing between the two teams. Four minutes into the second period, one particularly heavy hit sparked a fight between Marc McLaughlin and Marc Del Gaizo.

After Del Gaizo laid a big hit on Lombardi, McLaughlin quickly stepped in to defend his teammate. The two immediately dropped the gloves, adding another layer of intensity to an already physical preseason matchup.

The remainder of the game continued with players repeatedly exchanging shoves and words around the net. Even with both teams starting predominantly AHL lineups, the intensity and physical edge typically associated with the Devils-Rangers rivalry was as apparent as always.

The Devils will play their final preseason game on Saturday evening, facing the Islanders on the road at 7:30 PM ET before their home opener on Oct. 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers.