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.

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.

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.