Months of summer away from one another didn't damage the chemistry between Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt. Hischier and Bratt picked up right where they always left off, assisting and contributing to one another goals.

The New York Islanders went into New Jersey and beat the Devils and Sheldon Keefe 4-2 in their first preseason game.

The Devils won’t go undefeated in the preseason this year. Their 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Sunday night was in part to the growing pains of the Devils’ new-look defense that the team is attempting to fix from last season.

Sunday’s preseason game will be the first chance for Devils players to put into motion the systems and schemes of Sheldon Keefe and his coaching staff. However, the expectation isn’t for things to be perfect as the Devils held their first on-ice session of training camp just three days ago.

New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe provided insight into which players will not play in the club's first preseason game.

Despite less time to prepare for the regular season than the other teams in the NHL, the Devils are resting notable stars for Sunday’s preseason opener. Coach Sheldon Keefe said on Saturday that top-line forwards Jack Hughes and Timo Meier won’t dress against the Islanders at the Prudential Center since they are coming back from offseason surgeries.

Here are three things to watch when the New York Rangers host the New York Islanders in a preseason game Tuesday.

Coming off a “brutal” season, according to star center Jack Hughes termed “brutal,” the new-look New Jersey Devils are determined not to wait around this preseason.