Hey, everyone!
It’s time to take the good vibes on the road as we get set for the first of four games coming up on the West Coast. In my opinion, tonight's game in COL will be the biggest test of the season so far, and it comes with the 8-game heater on the line! 🔥
Just as we anticipated, it was a very exciting game on Sunday with back-and-forth action. For the Devils to find a way to pull out the 2 PTS after seeing multiple leads vanish, while playing most of the game with five D, was commendable. They just keep on finding ways to extend this streak!
Speaking of the five D, Pesce being ruled out for at least a month is an extremely tough blow to the backend. In the short term, it could not have come at a worse time for the Devils in this home-and-home set against the best offensive team in the league.
Fortunately, as I mentioned, the five D did a tremendous job stepping up to weather the storm in his absence. But look, the reality is that there are only one or two defensemen in the league (if that) who can replicate how dominant Pesce is in defending with his stick and shutting down plays in the DZ. All of the quality minutes (…and pucks) that he eats are irreplaceable, so we are all hoping Pesh is back sooner rather than later. For now, Seamus Casey will slot in on Dilly’s pairing to help hold down the fort.
Arseny Gritsyuk continues to prove that he belongs with his phenomenal start to the season. Following his goal to open up the scoring on Sunday, Grits became the first rookie Devils forward to put up at least 6 PTS, including 2 Goals, in his first 9 GP since Nico & Bratter did so in 2017-18. Pretty good company… In fact, he is the only NJD rookie on record with 6 PTS & 12 hits through his first 9 GP. I love how he has been able to adapt to the physical part of the NHL game, too!
This home-and-home has been the first real test of the Devils having to defend a heavy forecheck and cycle team (COL is #1 in both categories), and it showed on Sunday. This was especially the case in the 2nd period, as COL wore the Devils down by aggressively forechecking and outchanging them with long, connected shifts. If not for Jake Allen‘s 1.14 GSAE in this middle frame - and Brownie coming through with another timely, opportunistic breakaway goal - we are probably talking about a completely different result. 
So, yes, it is going to take a strong 60-minute defensive effort to weather the storm again tonight, especially with Pesce out of the lineup. But boy, I hope you all are as excited as I am to watch the “Battle of the Offensive Juggernauts,” Part 2!
In all honesty, I am really surprised by all of the lineup changes today. Lammikko will be making his NJD Debut, playing his first NHL game in over three years. I talked to him today about the opportunity to play his first game on the road against a team like COL, and he said there is “no better time.” He is embracing the challenge, which is very encouraging to hear.
Two #NJDevils season debuts tonight based on morning skate here in Denver.
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) October 28, 2025
Casey is in, as is Lammikko.
Halonen and Cholowski look to be the odd men out.
Jacob Markstrom is manning the starters net, looking like he's back from his lower-body injury from Oct. 13. pic.twitter.com/W1CidjxHs9
Sheldon mentioned that part of the reason for this is that he wants a true center to slot in at 3C, as the Devils get back on the road, where they can’t control matchups. Furthermore, he mentioned that he felt as though Mercer's game was slipping in that role over the last couple of games. So, I did some digging into his numbers in the last 2 GP, and this checks out. Mercer has only won 17.6% of his 17 FOs, and when on the ice at 5v5, the team has controlled less than 50% of the SATs (45.1%), and 36.36% of both the overall Scoring & HD Chances shares.
But make no mistake about it, Dawson has had a tremendous start to the season. Offensively, it has been his fastest start through 9 GP (3-5–8 PTS), and he continues to provide invaluable lineup flexibility to this team.
Rachel and I will break down the rest of the changes during the pregame show - so be sure to tune in at 8:30 p.m. But yes, I’m looking forward to seeing what type of new element Lammikko can bring to the lineup tonight, and I’m pumped to watch the DAWG on a bone get unleashed again with Nico & Timo! 🐶🦴
Be sure to tune in to our pregame show tonight as Rachel IS BACK, and we will recap the OTW on Sunday, the outstanding play of NJD#81 Grits, NJD#17 Nemo, and the NJD third line, as well as some adjustments needing to be made tonight in COL. It all starts at 8:30 p.m. on MSGSN2!
-Sal
Here are some graphics from Sunday's broadcast!
