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Preseason: Devils-Islanders Game Canceled Due to Power Failure

The final preseason game of 2021 for the New Jersey Devils has been canceled due to a power outage at the Prudential Center.

As relayed by Shannon Hogan of the Islanders’ MSG broadcast team that was set to do the game, the scoreboard and some lights at one end of the arena went out during the latter half of the pregame warmups.

The TV broadcast on MSG Networks cut to MSG Shorts to fill time.

Corey Masisak – Devils writer for The Athletic – confirmed that the power went out on Twitter. When the power could not be restored, the game was called off for the safety of the players and fans in attendance.

In roster news for the night, Mackenzie Blackwood was not dressed despite being confirmed for the lineup earlier in the day. On the MSG pregame broadcast, Isles’ play-by-play man Brendan Burke said that the Devils would have more information after the game on Blackwood. I will try to update here when the team issues a statement.

The Islanders have one remaining preseason game on Saturday in Bridgeport, Connecticut against the Rangers. This concludes the Devils’ preseason and they will open up next Wednesday, October 15 at home against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hopefully the power is restored at Prudential Center by then.

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Devils Reveal Theme Nights at The Rock

Yesterday, the Devils announced theme nights for the 2021-22 season.

The season kicks off with the Home Opener on October 15, 2021 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The next theme night after that will be Video Game Night against the Ottawa Senators on November 16. November 28 will be the annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Devils will partner with RWJBarnabas Health to raise money for cancer research and awareness.

In December, the Devils will have a Persons with Disabilities night on the tenth against the Nashville Predators. This will see the team “partner with local organizations to celebrate all those who play the sport of hockey” with disabilities.

December 19 against the Pittsburgh Penguins will be Star Wars Night where the first 9,000 fans will receive a Star Wars-themed winter hat. There will Star Wars characters available for photos on the concourse. The press release also notes that there will be “theme music and game presentation elements.”

January will kick off the new year of theme nights on the 22nd against the Carolina Hurricanes as the Devils celebrate Pride Night. The press release notes that “[f]ans will have the opportunity to get involved and support the cause with various fundraising activities and more.”

At the end of the truncated February schedule – on the 28th versus the Vancouver Canucks – the Devils will celebrate Black History Month at Prudential Center. There will be “special in-game features, exclusive content, fundraising activities and more.”

March 6 will see the St. Louis Blues visit Newark and the Devils honor youth hockey in New Jersey with Youth Hockey Day. In addition, the first 9,000 fans through the gates will get a Jack Hughes bobblehead.

Two days later on March 8, the Devils will “highlight the importance of gender inclusion in the sport of hockey and within the organization, building upon initiatives led by the National Hockey League to support gender equality throughout the sport at all levels” with Gender Equality Night against the Colorado Avalanche.

Travis Zajac will be belatedly honored in front of fans on March 10 when his hometown Winnipeg Jets come to town. The Devils will recognize his 1,000th game (which was played last season, but not honored in front of fans due to COVID-19 restricting fan attendance). Fans in attendance will receive “a special Silver Stick Giveaway to commemorate the night and his career.”

St. Patrick’s Day will come a few days early as the Devils will celebrate on March 12 against the Anaheim Ducks. The first 9,000 fans will receive a Mackenzie Blackwood bobblehead.

March 27 will see the Devils celebrate Military Appreciation Night against the Montreal Canadiens. The first 9,000 fans will get a “military-inspired hat courtesy of Prudential and there will be concourse activations, in-game features, and more.”

April 2 to April 3 will see the Devils host Nickelodeon Weekend. In addition to activations on the concourse, there will be a t-shirt pack for fans to buy. The opponents will be the Florida Panthers on the second and the New York Islanders on the third.

On April 24, the Devils will host their first Top Gun Night versus the Detroit Red Wings. The first 9,000 fans will get a Top Gun bobblehead courtesy of MSG Networks. The night will be in conjunction with the Top Gun 2 film being released to theaters in May 2022 and there will be an in-game takeover by the Top Gun franchise.

The 2021-22 home season concludes on April 29, 2022 against the Red Wings when Fan Appreciation Night will be celebrated. There will be “an exclusive giveaway item” presented by M&M’s. Fans will be able to win prizes and there will be “activations, and more to celebrate the conclusion of the 2021-22 regular season.”

In addition, if I am reading the press release correctly, there will also be kids-themed nights as well.

We will see you right back here tonight for the conclusion of the 2021 preseason schedule as the Devils host the Islanders at 7 PM.