After a long and seemingly never ending offseason, the New York Rangers returned to action. In a split squad affair, the 18 players new head coach David Quinn selected won a close back and forth affair across the Hudson River. While the Rangers never led during regulation, the team’s 19-year-old Swedish center, Lias Andersson, was the difference.
The Devils jumped out in front with a Nick Lappin goal 5:14 into the first period. Rangers’ defenseman Neal Pionk was bodied off of the puck and Lappin forced his way into the slot to score. Just seconds after the goal, Rob O’Gara of the Rangers and John Quenneville of the Devils exchanged blows.