The New Jersey Devils wrapped up their preseason last night with a 4-1 win over the Islanders. They finished 3-0-1 in the preseason, averaging three goals per game while allowing two goals per game. Devils claimed goalie Remi Poirier off waivers from the Dallas Stars. They placed forwards Riley Tufte, Colin White, and Marc McLaughlin on waivers, along with defenseman Topias Vilen, Vladislav Kolyachonok, and goalie David Rittich.
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Poirier in two preseason games allowed only one goal, stopping 35 of the 26 shots he faced, going 2-0-0. Tufte, White, McLaughlin, and Kolyachonok, in two games each, finished as a minus-one. Vilen, in two games, finished as a minus-three. Rittich appeared in one game, picking up a win by stopping 23 of the 24 shots he faced. Tufte finished tied for third in the AHL in goals last season; he’d be an offensive boost to Utica if he clears waivers.
The interesting question will be goaltending. The addition of Poirier either means they will carry three goals, and Nico Daws could be heading to Utica as well, but Poirier is a nice addition. He went 27-19-8 in 52 games for Texas in the AHL, posting a 2.61 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage, and two shutouts. He went 2-3-0 in the playoffs with a 2.92 goals-against average, an .883 save percentage, and a shutout.