It was New York’s first loss in four preseason games (3-1-0). Namely against the JV squad from New Jersey, as the Devils university in Prague prepared for the Global Series to open the NHL season against the Buffalo Sabres.

Anton Blidh scored the Rangers’ only goal with 1:42 left in regulation to avoid being shut out by Jeremy Brodeur, the son of three-time Stanley Cup winner Martin Brodeur.

Veteran forward Adam Erne, who was on a PTO in the Rangers camp, received an assist on Blidh’s goal and also sparred with New Jersey’s Brian Halonen at the end of the second period.

Related: The Rangers have a ‘pretty cool experience’ from afar playing close to home on the PTO

New Jersey Devils 3 – New York Rangers 1

Quick often had to dry behind the young Rangers’ blue line. Odd-man rushes were plentiful throughout the exhibition competition, allowing the veteran to work off any remaining rust in the middle of training camp.

Two of those odd rushes resulted in goals for New Jersey in the first period. Halonen broke in alone and beat Quick 7:17 into the contest. Just over five minutes later, it was Nathan Legares’ deke that beat the outstretched Quick and doubled the home team’s lead.

Kevin Labanc, the former San Jose Sharks forward on a PTO at Devils camp, made it 3-0 at 2:02 of the second period. Labanc’s wrist shot from the top of the right circle beat Quick with the Devils on the power play.

The Rangers broke through late in the third period when Blidh knocked down a rebound of Brett Berard’s shot from the rush

To their credit, New York beat the Devils 30-28 but couldn’t beat Jeremy Brodeur, son of the Devils’ great Martin, until Blidh’s late goal. The Rangers had 15 shots in the third period after shooting just 15 in the first 40 minutes of the game and were 0-for-6 on the power play.

The Rangers’ lineup was tenuous, with striker Adam Edstrom having the most realistic chance of finding his way into the opening squad. This is especially true given the news that fourth-line forward Jimmy Vesey will miss a few weeks with a lower-body injury.

Victor Mancini and Connor Mackey played on the back end and are likely in the running for a roster spot after Ryan Lindgren’s upper body injury. Mancini posted a game-best 25:50 of ice time. He had two shots on goal, two goals and was a positive. Mackey played 20:44 and had three hits.

When these two teams meet again at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, the Rangers are expected to dress more NHL regulars. Igor Shesterkin, the expected starter in goal, should benefit much more from a stronger Rangers lineup than the one Quick had behind him on Monday.

Matt Calamia served as a digital content producer and writer for the New York Rangers for six seasons. Before… More about Matt Calamia

Mentioned in this article: Adam Erne Anton Blidh Jonathan Fast NHL preseason game by the New Jersey Devils

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