NHL Regular-Season Begins with Devils' 4-1 Victory Over Sabres in Prague

NHL Regular-Season Highlights: Devils vs. Sabres

PRAGUE -- Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves to lead the New Jersey Devils to a 4-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres at O2 Arena in the 2024 NHL Global Series Czechia presented by Fastenal, opening the NHL regular-season.

Johnathan Kovacevic and Paul Cotter each had a goal and an assist in their Devils debut. Nico Hischier and Stefan Noesen each scored, and Sheldon Keefe won his first game as coach for New Jersey (1-0-0).

Owen Power scored, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 19 saves for the Sabres (0-1-0). Lindy Ruff was coaching his first regular-season game with Buffalo since being named coach on April 22.

Game Details

• First Game Outside North America Since 2022
• Noesen opened the scoring at 8:39 of the first period
• Kovacevic doubled the lead at 15:38 with a slap shot
• Markstrom's impressive 30 saves key to victory

Markstrom kept it at 2-0 with a stunning stop on Nicholas Aube-Kubel. Hischier extended the lead to 3-0 early in the second period off a loose puck pass. Power's goal at 10:07 of the third cut the lead to 3-1, but Cotter sealed it with an empty-netter.

Mark your calendars for the rematch on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET (NHLN, SN, MSGSN, MSG-B) back at the same venue.

Before the game, a poignant moment of silence honored Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, while legend Jaromir Jagr participated in the ceremonial puck drop.