PRAGUE — Paul Cotter had a aim and an help in his Devils debut as New Jersey beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 on Friday within the NHL regular-season opener performed within the Czech Republic capital.
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 into the sport to place the Devils up. Defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic, additionally making his New Jersey debut, made it 2-0, after which Nico Hischier scored early into the second earlier than Owen Energy received the Sabres on the scoreboard halfway by the ultimate interval. Cotter made it 4-1 on an open internet.
The groups’ sequence of two video games on Friday and Saturday is a part of the NHL international sequence. Two extra worldwide video games will probably be performed in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 1-2 when defending Stanley Cup champion Florida face the Dallas Stars.
The sport started Friday with gamers and spectators observing 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 close to their hometown in Oldsman Township, New Jersey.
Jacob Markstrom, who was acquired from the Calgary Flames in June, stopped 30 pictures in his New Jersey debut.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 19 saves for the Sabres.
The Devils, who did not make the playoffs final spring for the tenth time in 12 seasons, employed coach Sheldon Keefe in Could.
That is the eleventh season that the NHL has performed in Europe as a part of its efforts to develop the native fan base in hockey-mad nations just like the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland and others.
Up subsequent
The groups will full their sequence in Prague on Saturday.