PRAGUE — Paul Cotter had a goal and an assist in his Devils debut as New Jersey defeated the Buffalo Sabers 4-1 in the NHL regular-season opener on Friday in the Czech Republic's capital.
Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom, acquired in an offseason trade with the Calgary Flames, made 30 saves in his New Jersey debut.
After Jaromir Jagr, a former NHL great who still plays in the Czech League, dropped the ceremonial puck, Stefan Nosen scored his first goal of the season at 8:39 and the Devils went 1-0. he led.
Defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic made it 2-0, Nico Isier scored early in the second inning, and Owen Power scored for the Sabers midway through the third.
Cotter hit an open net to make it 4-1.
The teams' series of games on Friday and Saturday are part of the NHL Global Series.
Two more international games will be held in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 1 and 2, with defending Stanley Cup champion Florida taking on the Dallas Stars.
This will be the NHL's 11th season playing in Europe as part of an effort to grow its fan base in hockey-mad countries like the Czech Republic, Sweden and Finland.
The Devils, who missed the playoffs for the 10th time in 12 seasons, got valuable contributions from rookies other than Markstrom in their opening win.
Coach Sheldon Keefe was hired in May after being fired by Toronto. Kovacevic was acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens, and Cotter was acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Before the puck dropped, players and spectators held a 13-second moment of silence in honor of Johnny Gaudreau.
The Columbus Blue Jackets forward was killed along with his brother Matthew on August 29 while riding their bicycles in New Jersey.
