The New Jersey Devils wasted no time making a statement in their first road win of the 2025–26 NHL season, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 5–3 on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Benchmark International Arena. After a tough loss on opening night, the Devils rebounded with energy, precision, and a complete team effort that showcased exactly why expectations are sky-high this season.

The night belonged to newcomer Connor Brown, who found the back of the net twice—including his first two goals since joining New Jersey on a four-year deal signed back on July 1. Brown’s chemistry with his linemates was on full display, and his presence around the crease made an immediate impact.

“It feels great to get the first ones out of the way,” Brown said after the game. “I wanted to contribute right away, and it’s even better when it helps the team get a big win like this.”

New Jersey’s offense fired on all cylinders early, controlling the pace of play and striking three times in the opening period. Timo Meier started the scoring just past the eight-minute mark, burying a rebound from a Nico Hischier feed to make it 1–0. Less than two minutes later, Brown tipped in a slick pass from rookie forward Arseny Gritsyuk, with defenseman Luke Hughes adding the secondary assist. The Devils’ captain, Hischier, capped off the period with a highlight-reel wraparound goal—assisted by Meier and Hughes—to give New Jersey a commanding 3–0 lead heading into the first intermission.

Tampa Bay, as expected, pushed back in the second period. Yanni Gourde capitalized on a three-on-one rush to get the Lightning on the board, and veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh followed with a goal later in the frame, cutting the Devils’ lead to just one. For a moment, momentum seemed to shift toward Tampa, but New Jersey refused to break.

Early in the third period, Jesper Bratt delivered one of the night’s defining moments—a beautiful shorthanded goal that reignited the Devils’ energy and silenced the home crowd. Minutes later, Brown struck again, finishing off a perfect setup from Gritsyuk and defenseman Simon Nemec to make it 5–2. Darren Raddysh scored late for Tampa Bay, but the Devils’ defensive structure held firm, closing out their first win of the year.

Jacob Markstrom, making his first official win in a Devils uniform, stopped 14 of 17 shots. While not heavily tested, Markstrom made key saves in the second period when the Lightning threatened to even the score. Across the ice, Andrei Vasilevskiy faced 29 shots and allowed five goals—a rare off night for the elite goaltender, largely due to New Jersey’s relentless pressure and puck movement.

Head coach Lindy Ruff praised his team’s composure after the game, particularly their response to Tampa’s second-period push. “We didn’t panic,” Ruff said. “They made a run, but we stuck with our game plan and played smart hockey in the third. The guys deserved this one.”

Statistically, the Devils dominated puck possession and zone time, outshooting Tampa Bay 29–17 and controlling much of the game at even strength. While New Jersey went 0-for-1 on the power play, their penalty kill looked sharp, stopping all three Lightning power plays and even scoring short-handed.

The new faces in the lineup are already paying dividends. Gritsyuk, in just his second NHL game, looked poised beyond his years, picking up two assists and showing flashes of offensive creativity that will make him a player to watch this season. Luke Hughes, fresh off signing a seven-year contract extension, also added two assists and logged over 22 minutes of ice time, demonstrating his growing role as a cornerstone on the Devils’ blue line.

The leadership group—Hischier, Bratt, Meier, and Jack Hughes—continues to set the tone both on and off the ice, driving the pace of play and maintaining focus in key moments. The chemistry among the top lines is evident, and the confidence level across the roster is palpable.

With this win, New Jersey not only earned its first two points of the season but also reaffirmed what many already suspected—the Devils are a legitimate contender, built on speed, skill, and a collective belief in their system.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper acknowledged afterward that his team struggled to recover from New Jersey’s early surge. “It’s tough to chase a game against a team like that,” Cooper said. “They’re fast, they move the puck well, and when they get that kind of start, it’s hard to slow them down.”

The Devils now return home looking to build on this momentum as they continue their early-season stretch. If Saturday’s performance is any indication, this team has no intention of easing into the season—they’re here to make noise from the opening puck drop.

Building a Dynasty in Newark: The Devils’ Core Is Locked In and Here to Stay

The New Jersey Devils wasted no time making a statement to open the 2025–26 NHL season. After a disappointing loss to start the year, they stormed back with a 5–3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning—reminding the league that this team is built for both the present and the long haul. But the most meaningful win of all may have come off the ice, with the Devils securing another crucial piece of their future: Luke Hughes.

Just days before the team’s trip to Tampa, the 22-year-old defenseman inked a seven-year, $63 million extension, carrying an average annual value of $9 million. It’s a deal that cements Hughes as part of the Devils’ foundation well into the next decade—and a signal that the organization’s long-term vision is alive and thriving.

“I’m really proud to be here for the next seven years,” Hughes said after signing. “New Jersey is home now. The fans, the culture, everything about it—it’s where I want to be for my career.”

That sense of belonging isn’t unique to Hughes. It’s a feeling echoed throughout the Devils’ locker room. Teammates Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Jack Hughes have all committed to long-term contracts, ensuring that the team’s core will remain intact for years to come.

Bratt, who signed an eight-year extension last summer, summed it up perfectly: “We all believe in what’s being built here. Everyone who steps into this locker room sees the direction this team is headed and wants to be a part of it.”

Meier agreed. “This is a group that’s all pulling the same way,” he said. “When you have so many players buying in for the long term, it shows the belief we have in each other and in what we can achieve together.”

The organization’s approach has been simple and sustainable: build through the draft, develop homegrown talent, and supplement with key trades. The Devils’ patient rebuild has produced a lineup anchored by high draft picks who have grown up in red and black. Hischier, the 2017 first-overall pick, set the tone early—signing a seven-year deal in 2020 and taking over as captain soon after. Two years later, Jack Hughes followed suit, committing for eight years. Then came Luke Hughes, the fourth-overall pick in 2021, now locked in through 2032.

Even the later-round gems like Jesper Bratt—drafted in the sixth round in 2016—have proven that the organization’s scouting and development systems are as sharp as they’ve ever been.

Then came the boldest move of all: acquiring Timo Meier from San Jose in 2023. It was a gamble by general manager Tom Fitzgerald, who was betting that the Swiss forward would fall in love with the culture being built in New Jersey. That bet paid off. Meier quickly became an integral part of the team and later signed an eight-year deal worth $70.4 million.

“I bet on New Jersey,” Fitzgerald said at the time. “I bet on what we can offer players—the facilities, the community, the convenience, and the culture. And that bet has paid off.”

For players like Meier and Bratt, what truly stands out is the environment off the ice. What used to be an overlooked hockey market has quietly become one of the league’s best-kept secrets.

“As a visiting player, you don’t see much of New Jersey,” Meier explained. “You fly in, play, and fly out. But living here, getting to know the people, the fans, and the area—it’s incredible. There’s a lot of beauty and energy here that people don’t realize.”

Bratt added, “The neighborhoods, the fans, the facilities—everything is first-class. You can feel the passion around this team, and it’s only growing.”

With their core secured and a deep pool of prospects developing behind them—including Simon Nemec, Seamus Casey, and Ethan Edwards—the Devils have built a system designed to win not just once, but for years to come.

The defensive group is already among the strongest in the league. Alongside Luke Hughes, New Jersey boasts veterans like Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, Brett Pesce, and Johnathan Kovacevic—each under contract for several seasons. The balance of proven experience and youthful potential gives this team both stability and upside.

For a franchise that’s endured years of rebuilds and growing pains, this era feels different. It’s not just about returning to the playoffs—it’s about staying there and contending for the Stanley Cup every single season.

Jesper Bratt captured that mindset perfectly: “We’ve been taking steps every year. If you want to win a Cup, you can’t rely on one lucky season—it has to be sustainable. We’re building something that lasts.”

The pieces are in place. The commitment is there. And the confidence inside that locker room is palpable.

With a roster featuring both seasoned veterans and hungry young stars, the Devils enter this season not just as contenders—but as a team that expects to win.

“This group has that mix of experience and drive that every championship team needs,” Bratt said. “It’s the deepest and most skilled team I’ve ever been a part of. Now it’s time to prove it when it matters.”

New Jersey’s long-term vision has taken root, and the result is a franchise poised to dominate for years to come. The Devils aren’t just back—they’re building something special right here in the Garden State.

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