MSG Network today released their schedule for Devils television broadcasts. They will handle 81 regular season games and three preseason games. Preseason telecasts begin September 20 with the Devils at the Rangers on MSG+. They will then show the Devils and Rangers from Prudential Center on September 23 on MSG+2, Devils at the Islanders on September 25 on MSG+ and the Devils at the Capitals on MSG+ on September 27. All of those games are 7 PM start times.
It is interesting there that only one preseason home game will be televised, as usually they do not televise road games outside of the game at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers. The Washington game will likely be the Caps’ broadcast feed.
For the regular season, all Devils games (minus October 17 at home against the Lightning, which will be on NBCSN) will broadcast on either MSG, MSG+ or MSG+2.
The game telecasts, the MSG Network press release says, will be presented by RWJBarnabas Health and the 30 minute pregame show will once again be “Holy Name Medical Center Devils Game Night.” The postgame show which follows will be “Devils Postgame Show Presented by JAG Physical Therapy” once again this year.
Ken Daneyko and Steve Cangialosi will return as color commentator and play-by-play man, respectively. Deb Placey will once again host the pre- and postgame shows and will be joined by a newcomer: former Devils defenseman and tenth captain in team history, Bryce Salvador.
Salvador replaces John MacLean, who joined the Arizona Coyotes as a coach this past summer.
MSG Network’s press release mentions that Salvador will, much like MacLean, only work home games (although there is the possiblity that he will accompany the crew to close road trips like Philly, Boston and Washington, like MacLean did in recent seasons).
Salvador retired from the NHL in 2015 following problems with concussions, but has remained active with the Devils alumni. The native of Brandon, Manitoba played a total of 14 NHL seasons with the Devils and St. Louis Blues. It is nice to see him back and I am sure he will be able to fill Johnny Mac’s shoes with professionalism and skill.