Devils top Sabres 4-1 in NHL regular-season opener in Prague

PRAGUE — Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves and Paul Cotter had an empty-netter and help of their debuts with New Jersey because the Devils beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 on Friday within the NHL regular-season opener that was performed within the capital of Czechia (broadly identified in English because the Czech Republic).

After former NHL nice Jaromir Jagr, who nonetheless performs within the Czech league, dropped a ceremonial puck, Stefan Noesen turned the primary scorer of the season 8:39 in to place New Jersey up. Defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic, additionally making his Devils debut, made it 2-0, after which Nico Hischier scored early within the second earlier than Owen Energy acquired the Sabres on the scoreboard halfway by way of the third. Cotter made it 4-1.

“In the end, the group simply pulled collectively and wished to compete on the excessive degree tonight, and I feel they acquired after it proper from the beginning,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe stated. “From the opening faceoff we had been everywhere in the internet inside 10 seconds.”

The groups’ sequence of video games on Friday and Saturday is a part of the NHL International Sequence. Two extra worldwide video games will likely be performed in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 1-2 when defending Stanley Cup champion Florida faces the Dallas Stars.

That is the eleventh season the NHL has performed in Europe as a part of its efforts to develop the fan base in hockey-mad nations like Czechia, Sweden, Finland and others.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 19 saves for Buffalo.

The Sabres hope to finish a 13-season playoff drought this yr. Coach Lindy Ruff, who guided them to their final postseason in 2011, is again after he was fired by New Jersey. Throughout his earlier stint from 1997 to 2012, Buffalo superior eight instances and reached the Stanley Cup last in 1999.

“The beginning was most likely the largest distinction within the hockey recreation,” Ruff stated. “They had been a step sooner to unfastened pucks, they received extra 50-50 battles early on and I believed that was the distinction within the recreation.”

Takeaways

Devils: After failing to make the playoffs for the tenth time in 12 seasons, New Jersey had invaluable contributions from newcomers. Keefe was employed in Could after being fired by Toronto; Noesen was signed to the crew after beforehand enjoying for New Jersey in 2016-19; Kovacevic was acquired in a commerce with the Montreal Canadiens, Cotter in a commerce with the Vegas Golden Knights and Markstrom in a commerce with the Calgary Flames.

Sabres: Buffalo was unable to make the most of 4 power-play alternatives.

Key second

Earlier than the puck dropped, gamers and spectators noticed 13 seconds of silence to honor Johnny Gaudreau. The Columbus Blue Jackets ahead was killed alongside together with his brother, Matthew, on Aug. 29 whereas bicycling in New Jersey.

Key stat

New Jersey gave up 283 targets final season, which was twenty seventh out of 32 groups. The Devils imagine Markstrom will assist them in that class and might be the lacking piece wanted for a playoff run.

“He is come right here for a purpose, he desires to win,” Keefe stated. “But in addition he is an unbelievable particular person, an incredible character and character.”

Up subsequent

The groups will full their sequence in Prague on Saturday.

Data from The Related Press was used on this report.