New Jersey
New Jersey Devils Lose Penalty-Fest, 3-0, To Montreal Canadiens
Tuesday night in Montreal was the Justin Kea and Garrett Rank show, as the New Jersey Devils fell to the Canadiens, 3-0. It was a game packed to the brim with penalties, with New Jersey taking a whopping eight of them, and the Canadiens countering with six of their own. Michael Pezzetta scored twice for the Canadiens, including an empty-netter to seal it, and Nick Suzuki found the back of the net as well.
If there was a silver lining to the parade to the sin bin, it was the penalty kill putting up one of the more impressive performances you will see. The Devils’ penalty kill unit went a remarkable 8-for-8, including killing off a 5-on-3 for a full two minutes! It was a full team effort too, as 16 of the 18 skaters in the lineup this evening all saw time on the kill. The only exceptions were Kurtis MacDermid and Mike Hardman (although Xavier Parent only got four seconds of PK time).
Of course, a penalty kill can’t pitch a shutout without some quality goaltending behind it, and that’s exactly what the Devils got this evening. Jake Allen started the game and played until roughly halfway through the second period. Allen made 12 saves on 13 shots, including a couple grade-A chances in the first period particularly. After that it was Nico Daws taking over the crease, and he gave New Jersey a terrific effort with 14 saves on 15 shots. He too needed to make some five-alarm stops tonight, so it was an overall stellar game for the Devils goaltenders.
But alas, the offense could not match the performance of their netminders. It was a lineup heavy on players we will (hopefully) not be seeing much of in the NHL this season, so an anemic performance wasn’t all that surprising. Nathan Bastian, Nolan Foote, and Simon Nemec tied for the team lead with three shots apiece tonight.
This was an overall sloppy, frustrating game to watch between the lack of offense and New Jersey taking about nine hours worth of penalties. The Devils are now 0-2 in the preseason, apparently bent on righting the wrong of going undefeated in the exhibition slate a year ago. Onto the next.
The Game Stats: The NHL.com Game Summary | The Natural Stat Trick Game Stats
We Finally Found Nemo
The most notable thing about this contest to me was the preseason debut of Simon Nemec. It was great to see the young blueliner after his scary looking injury a few weeks ago. The Devils were cagey with Nemec’s status for a while, which concerned many around these parts. But it appears Nemec is just fine after all.
Overall I thought Nemec looked fine. There was some rust, but that’s to be expected in his first taste of preseason action. Paired together with Santeri Hatakka (which might just be a preview of some October games to come), Nemec put up a 5-on-5 Expected Goals For% of 39.87%, which sounds bad until you hear that was seventh best mark on the team tonight. And as previously mentioned he did put up a team-leading three shots on net, so it’s hard to blame the lack of offense tonight on him.
With Luke Hughes out for at least the first few weeks of the season and Brett Pesce’s status up in the air, it will be imperative for Nemec to provide some stability and production in a depth role.
Another Notable Debut
Apart from Nemec, another young blueliner making his preseason debut tonight was Seamus Casey. Aside from the recently drafted Anton Silayev, Casey is probably the defenseman in the Devils’ system (as in, with no NHL experience thus far) with the highest ceiling. He comes to New Jersey with a reputation for being an offensive dynamo and a surprisingly good defender for his size, though obviously that will not be a big part of his game.
Casey lined up with another prospect, Topias Vilen, and overall the advanced metrics were not kind to him. Per NST, Casey finished with a team-worst 19.38% xGF% at 5-on-5 tonight. He did see 4:33 of power play time, which makes sense given the makeup of the roster tonight as well as Casey’s skillset being tailormade for the man advantage.
I honestly did not think he looked as bad as the fancy stats would indicate, but I did think he looked a little overmatched out there. But for a kid getting his very first taste of NHL action, preseason or otherwise, I thought he had his moments as well. Here’s hoping he builds off of tonight and comes out stronger next time he suits up.
Lineup Consistency
In the Devils’ preseason opener Sunday night against the Islanders, new head coach Sheldon Keefe deployed a line of Paul Cotter-Curtis Lazar-Nathan Bastian, as well as a defensive pairing of Jonas Siegenthaler-Johnathan Kovacevic. Well we saw those same combinations tonight up in Montreal. Clearly Keefe wants to give these combos a long look with I assume the intention of seeing if these are viable options to start the season with.
It makes sense for that forward trio at least, as I think a lot of us had Cotter-Lazar-Bastian penciled in as a potential fourth line. I’m not exactly sure about Siegenthaler-Kovacevic though. Assuming Pesce will be good to go for the beginning of the campaign, if Kovacevic draws in over someone like Hatakka until Hughes returns, would they really go with, for example, a second pairing of Nemec-Pesce? It feels more likely that Siegenthaler gets lined up with Pesce as a shutdown pair, with Nemec skating with Kovacevic or Hatakka on the third pairing. It also tells me that, after not playing them together in the preseason opener, Keefe really might think the longstanding Siegenthaler-Hamilton pairing has run its course.
Or, in the worst-case scenario, Keefe and the Devils are convinced Pesce won’t be ready for the start of the season, so their go-to shutdown pair out of the gate will be Siegenthaler-Kovacevic. I sure hope that’s not the case, but that thought did cross my mind as I watched this game.
I’d be curious to hear what you think the season-opening pairings should be, as Siegenthaler’s deployment is an under-the-radar big storyline to me this preseason.
Next Time Out
No rest for the weary, as the Devils play tomorrow in Newark against the Washington Capitals. Puck drop is slated for 7pm.
Your Take
What did you make of tonight’s game? Who stood out to you? What were your thoughts on Nemec’s preseason debut? What about Casey? Were you encouraged by the goaltending performances from Allen and Daws tonight? As always, thanks for reading!
PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
FIFA and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have become embroiled in a war of words this past week as the prospect of $150 train tickets to travel to World Cup games and plans to close parts of New York’s Penn Station have angered residents.
The recent uproar began after reports surfaced April 6 that parts of Penn Station would be closed to NJ Transit commuters not attending World Cup games for four hours before kickoff during the eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
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Moreover, round-trip train tickets between Penn Station in Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup is set to be played, were announced by NJ Transit to come in at $150 per person.
A return ride on the same line typically costs $12.90, according to NJ Transit.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026.
In a press release on April 17, Sherrill said the move to increase prices was caused by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said price increases happened because FIFA did not agree to cover the costs of transporting fans.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
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More: Going to World Cup at MetLife Stadium? Expect $150 train tickets and no parking
FIFA, on the other hand, has said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending games in New Jersey and said Sherrill’s demands asking FIFA to absorb transportation costs for fans were “unprecedented.”
“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Heimo Schirgi, COO for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The NJ Transit logo is seen in the lobby of the New Jersey Transit headquarters ahead of a press briefing on the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 regional mobility plan in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026.
What are other cities doing with World Cup transportation?
New Jersey has not been the only place where transportation costs have been the subject of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, round-trip train train tickets on the MBTA from Boston’s South Station to Gillette Stadium are being sold for $80.
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Special event trains to Foxborough for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS matches are usually $20 for a round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities have not seen increases like the ones in New Jersey and Boston. In Atlanta, for example, train fares on the city’s MARTA will be $2.50 per ride, with children able to travel for free with a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides for fans parking in four different park-and-ride locations, as well as those coming from FIFA’s Fan Festival in the city. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is offering fans a $3.50 round trip train ticket on its Metro Train.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping its prices low, with fans set to pay the base $2.90 fare for a ride on its Broad Street Line, which takes riders to Lincoln Financial Field, set to host six matches.
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Katie Sobko from USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup fans going to MetLife Stadium to pay $150 for NJT ticket
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