If the New Jersey Devils have designs of playing rookie Arseny Gritsyuk with franchise forward Jack Hughes during the regular season, their first taste of that combination certainly passed the smell test in Sunday's preseason tilt with the Washington Capitals.
Gritsyuk, 24, was on the ice for the Devils' game-tying goal, which came immediately upon the expiry of a power play opportunity. Prospect Shane Lachance banged in a Hughes rebound, and Simon Nemec earned a secondary assist, but Gritsyuk was still getting the looks.
It helps, too, that Gritsyuk and Hughes each scored for the Devils in the shootout, though Andrew Cristall ultimately lifted the Capitals to a 3-2 win on the 10th attempt of the skills competition.