New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils: game-day context, lineup, and chances

When and where

The New York Rangers visit the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, September 21, 2025, with puck drop at 1:00 PM Eastern at Prudential Center in Newark. It is the preseason opener for both Metropolitan Division rivals and the first on-ice look at the Rangers under new head coach Mike Sullivan.

How to watch

Television coverage is scheduled on MSG Networks, MSGSN, and NHL Network, with out-of-market streaming on ESPN+. Local radio options vary by market. Pregame coverage focuses on camp battles and role auditions more than full-tactic breakdowns.

Context for New York

This is a systems and personnel evaluation day. Training camp messaging has emphasized a tighter zone structure in the defensive zone to conserve energy and clean up exits. In exhibitions, outcomes matter less than habits: short-support options on retrievals, layered coverage through the slot, and smoother low-to-high transition. The staff will track whether centers read below the dots reliably and whether wingers can interrupt half-wall lead passes that hurt the club last year.

Form and rivalry frame

Recent head-to-head results tilted toward New Jersey, especially in Newark. That does not predetermine a preseason matinee, but it sets baseline expectations: home-ice familiarity and structure have been real edges for the Devils in this matchup. With both teams mixing veterans and roster-bubble players, pace and special-teams experiments can swing momentum quickly.

Injuries and notable absences

Artemi Panarin is day-to-day with a lower-body issue and is not expected to dress. Several core Rangers skaters are not scheduled for this road game as the staff prioritizes audition minutes. New Jersey’s camp notes list a couple of absences on their side; the Devils are expected to run Jake Allen early in net followed by Nico Daws.

Who is in New York’s game group today

The Rangers’ traveling group features forwards Taylor Raddysh, Jonny Brodzinski, Anton Blidh, Justin Dowling, Noah Laba, Conor Sheary, Dylan Roobroeck, Carey Terrance, Juuso Parssinen, Matt Rempe, Brennan Othmann, Gabe Perreault, and Nathan Aspinall. The defense corps includes Connor Mackey, Will Borgen, Urho Vaakanainen, Casey Fitzgerald, Derrick Pouliot, Scott Morrow, and Jackson Dorrington. The goalies dressing are Jonathan Quick, Dylan Garand, and Talyn Boyko.

Projected lines and goalie plan

Projected forwards: Conor Sheary — Juuso Parssinen — Gabe Perreault; Brennan Othmann — Justin Dowling — Taylor Raddysh; Anton Blidh — Noah Laba — Jonny Brodzinski; Nathan Aspinall — Dylan Roobroeck — Matt Rempe. Extra forward: Carey Terrance. Projected defense pairs: Urho Vaakanainen — Will Borgen; Derrick Pouliot — Casey Fitzgerald; Connor Mackey — Scott Morrow. Seventh defenseman: Jackson Dorrington. Goalies: Jonathan Quick expected to start, Dylan Garand to relieve around the midpoint, Talyn Boyko dressed as the third.

What matters for New York’s evaluation

Defensive exits and slot protection are primary metrics. The Vaakanainen — Borgen pair provides a template for first-pass efficiency and crease control; if they handle the Devils’ layered forecheck, New York will spend more time playing forward. On the third pair, Scott Morrow’s first NHL-pace reps draw focus: activation timing, blue-line holds, and rush defense against speed.

Top-six sequencing and bottom-six identity

The Sheary — Parssinen — Perreault trio blends retrievals, puck protection, and creativity. The staff wants Sheary to win pucks back, Parssinen to carry through the middle and distribute, and Perreault to create from the right wall. The Othmann — Dowling — Raddysh line profiles as a volume group that can tilt shifts if forecheck layers arrive on time. The Blidh — Laba — Brodzinski line projects as a checking trio charged with clean exits and discipline. The Aspinall — Roobroeck — Rempe unit supplies size and straight-line pressure; the bar is route efficiency and penalty avoidance.

The crease

Jonathan Quick’s early segment is about angles, posts, and communication behind a new structure. Dylan Garand’s back-half audition emphasizes tracking through traffic and puck-handling to aid exits. September samples are small, but solid segments can narrow the home-ice edge.

Today’s chances

Given home ice, recent results in Newark, and the Rangers’ prospect-leaning road lineup, the lean is a modest edge to New Jersey in a low-to-medium-event script. Preseason variance remains real; if New York’s projected top six carries shot share and the defense keeps the middle sealed, there is clear upset potential in the first outing of the Sullivan era.

Player-by-player expectations for the Rangers dressing today

Conor Sheary: top-line stabilizer for retrievals and connective play. Juuso Parssinen: middle-lane driver and entry facilitator. Gabe Perreault: primary creator off the right wall. Brennan Othmann: shot-first winger with inside-lane pressure. Justin Dowling: two-way center to steady a young line. Taylor Raddysh: finisher with quick release and net-front work.

Anton Blidh: energy and forecheck discipline. Noah Laba: defensive matchups, low support, and clean breakouts. Jonny Brodzinski: veteran shooter with responsible wall play. Nathan Aspinall: straight-line forecheck and net drives. Dylan Roobroeck: large-frame pivot focused on simple middle plays. Matt Rempe: physical pressure with controlled aggression.

Urho Vaakanainen: first-pair calm and slot denial. Will Borgen: crease protection and box-outs. Derrick Pouliot: puck-moving second pair with blue-line holds. Casey Fitzgerald: simple, physical defending and steady exits. Connor Mackey: depth minutes and penalty-kill look. Scott Morrow: activation timing, point shots through, and rush defense at NHL pace. Jackson Dorrington: seventh defenseman with spot shifts and penalty-kill audition.

Jonathan Quick: set early structure and rebound control. Dylan Garand: tracking, second saves, and puck-handling to start exits. Talyn Boyko: dressed as third.