PRAGUE — Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves and Paul Cotter had an empty-netter and help in their debuts with New Jersey as the Devils beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 on Friday in the NHL regular-season opener that was performed in the capital of Czechia (broadly recognized in English as the Czech Republic).
After former NHL nice Jaromir Jagr, who nonetheless performs in the Czech league, dropped a ceremonial puck, Stefan Noesen grew to become the first 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 in the second earlier than Owen Power received the Sabres on the scoreboard halfway via the third. Cotter made it 4-1.
“Ultimately, the group just pulled together and wanted to compete at the high level tonight, and I think they got after it right from the start,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned. “From the opening faceoff we were all over the net within 10 seconds.”
The groups' sequence of video games on Friday and Saturday is a part of the NHL Global Series. Two extra worldwide video games might be performed in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 1-2 when defending Stanley Cup champion Florida faces the Dallas Stars.
This is the eleventh season the NHL has performed in Europe as a part of its efforts to develop the fan base in hockey-mad international locations 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. During his earlier stint from 1997 to 2012, Buffalo superior eight instances and reached the Stanley Cup last in 1999.
“The start was probably the biggest difference in the hockey game,” Ruff mentioned. “They were a step faster to loose pucks, they won more 50-50 battles early on and I thought that was the difference in the game.”
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 May 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 benefit from 4 power-play alternatives.
Key second
Before the puck dropped, gamers and spectators noticed 13 seconds of silence to honor Johnny Gaudreau. The Columbus Blue Jackets ahead was killed alongside along with his brother, Matthew, on Aug. 29 whereas bicycling in New Jersey.
Key stat
New Jersey gave up 283 objectives final season, which was twenty seventh out of 32 groups. The Devils consider Markstrom will assist them in that class and may very well be the lacking piece wanted for a playoff run.
“He's come here for a reason, he wants to win,” Keefe mentioned. “But also he's an incredible person, a great character and personality.”
Up subsequent
The groups will full their sequence in Prague on Saturday.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
