3 Takeaways From Devils’ 4-3 Shootout Win Over Islanders in Rookie Showcase Finale – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils rounded out their Rookie Showcase on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Northwell Health Ice Center, facing off against the New York Islanders for the second time this week. On Sunday, they lost 5-4 at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House after a hard-fought battle that ended in overtime. 

For the past week, the rookies have put their best foot forward, all in the hopes of securing a spot at training camp. Our very own Jess Amato was at practice on Monday, where she broke down key observations in this season’s first installment of the Devils Notebook. 

Once again, the rookie scrimmage went beyond regulation, and the Devils came away with a 4-3 shootout victory.

Offensive Tenacity Continues

Once again, the Devils went scoreless in the first period, but it definitely wasn’t for lack of trying. They came out swinging for game two, with a flurry of scoring chances to start the first period.

Seconds after the opening faceoff, the Devils had a great look from Gabe Klassen, quickly followed by a drive from Ethan Edwards. Unsurprisingly, another player who stood out early on was Matyas Melovsky. Throughout the entire game, he forced turnovers and drove the puck up the ice, while also using his physicality to his advantage.

After falling behind less than a minute into the second period, the Devils were quick to respond. Shane Lachance made it a 1-1 game, sending a loose puck in the slot past Joshua Kotai. 

Top shelf, where mama hides the cannolis. pic.twitter.com/ehMEOIRfNJ

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) September 15, 2026

Unfortunately, the Devils found themselves down by two by the end of the second period, but were able to capitalize on two consecutive power plays. They began the third period with 1:43 on the man advantage, and Ben Steeves found the back of the net to make the score 3-2. The Devils then tied the game with their second power-play goal, courtesy of Cam Squires.

But their offensive grit went well beyond regulation, and the Devils controlled the puck for the majority of overtime. Their shootout skills would eventually win them the game, with goals from Lenni Hameenaho and Jeremy Wilmer.

Seamus Casey Looks NHL Ready

Rookie camp marked the first step in an uphill battle for defenseman Seamus Casey. As of right now, he’ll be fighting for an extra spot on the 2026-27 roster — and he already has a leg up on the competition with 16 NHL games under his belt. Most notably, he began the 2024-25 season with the Devils in Prague, scoring his first NHL goal in the second Global Series game against the Buffalo Sabres.

And now, Casey is going the extra mile both at camp and during the Rookie Showcase. In the scrimmage finale, he remained calm and composed, shining once more alongside Anton Silaev.

What stands out about Casey is his elite positioning. Whether he’s monitoring play from the blue line or battling his way in front of the net, he maneuvers his way around skaters with ease. His edgework especially came in handy for the Devils’ special teams. He played a major role in killing off a double minor in the first period. Likewise, he made an impact on the power play, setting up his teammates while also firing one-timers of his own.

He ended the night with two assists, proving once more why he deserves a second look at training camp later this week.

Jakub Malek Stands Tall In Net

Jakub Malek was the starter for both Rookie Showcase contests, and he looked much sharper during his second round in net. The 24-year-old goaltender kept the first period scoreless, fending off shot after shot from a relentless Islanders rookie squad.

Even though he let in three goals during the second period, he kept his composure, making a few sprawling saves in the process. More importantly, he was the hero in the shootout, stopping Luca Romano and Victor Eklund to lead the Devils to victory.

In conversation with the media after practice on Monday, he gave insight ahead of his second season in North America. While he shared his excitement for 2026-27, he was also vulnerable about his struggles early on. From the size of the rink to angles and positioning, it took a while for him to get the hang of things. “It was important to get used to it, and it took time — more than I expected,” said Malek.

This season, he’s predicted to be the starting netminder for the Utica Comets, after winning the Ian Anderson Award for the most improved player in 2025-26. As he continues to adjust and find his game, there’s a good chance that he’ll get a shot at an NHL role later down the line.

What’s Next for the Devils?

Now that the Rookie Showcase has come to a close, all eyes will be on the Devils veterans, who will report to training camp tomorrow (Sept. 16). From there, the club will work toward finalizing their roster for the upcoming season. 

The Devils will kick off their preseason schedule at Prudential Center on Sept. 20, with an afternoon showdown against the Islanders.