2024 Preseason Preview: New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils

The New York Islanders are finally hitting the ice after a long summer layoff. The Isles will square off against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Sunday. The puck drop is at 7 pm.

Neither club will be expected to ice a full lineup. As such, fans should expect to see a mix of non-roster players vying for a job, prospects, and other opening night players.

The game offers a serious look into the Isles’ game plan under Patrick Roy this season. The talk of training camp has been Roy’s demanding work ethic. So, it will be interesting to see how the team responds during its first on-ice performance.

Meanwhile, this game marks the first time the Devils hit the ice under new coach Sheldon Keefe. Keefe spent last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs before moving on to New Jersey.

Isles fans should expect a fast, hard-checking team, digging for pucks while transitioning fast from the defensive zone to the middle of the ice. In the offensive zone, the Isles should display more puck movement, with wingers cycling the puck throughout the zone.

Overall, the New York Islanders will be looking to play a more up-tempo, aggressive style, while maintaining a solid backcheck. The key for the Isles this season will be accountability. As a result, players shouldn’t be surprised to get an earful whenever they fail to meet expectations.

Three New York Islanders players to watch against the New Jersey Devils

This first preseason matchup will give Roy and the Isles a look at several players. In particular, three Islanders stand out:

Maxim Tsyplakov

Rookie camp standout Maxim Tsyplakov should get into the lineup tonight against the Devils. The Isles will be eager to see how Tsyplakov looks in real-time game action. Tsyplakov is projected on the Islanders’ second line, but Brock Nelson will most likely not be in today’s lineup.

So, Tsyplakov would most likely line up alongside Liam Foudy, who has also had a solid showing thus far. If Tsyplakov has a good game, he could cement a role for himself in the Isles’ top six.

Liam Foudy

Foudy signed a two-way deal this summer with the New York Islanders following a stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Foudy, a former first-round pick, has looked solid in training camp. He should get into tonight’s preseason game, giving Roy a look at a player who could be among the team’s first callups.

It’s highly likely that Foudy starts the season in Bridgeport. Nevertheless, a strong game tonight could insert Foudy’s name into the fourth-line conversation, pushing players like Kyle MacLean and Simon Holmstrom for a roster spot.

Marcus Hogberg/Keith Kinkaid

Expect one, or both, of Marcus Hogberg and Keith Kinkaid to see action tonight. Both goalies will be vying for the backup role behind Semyon Varlamov. The winner of this battle will start the year while the other could potentially head down to Bridgeport.

It’s like both goalies share the crease in this contest as the club assesses which goaltender would be better suited to make the team this season.