The New Jersey Devils continue their 2025–26 season road trip with a crucial matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight, Tuesday, November 18, at 7 p.m. EST at Benchmark International Arena. This game marks another test for a team that has battled a relentless series of injuries while maintaining a surprisingly strong start to the season.
The Devils have been navigating a season-long parade of injuries that has forced numerous lineup adjustments. For tonight’s game, forwards Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov, along with defenseman Dougie Hamilton, have been activated from injured reserve, though all remain game-time decisions. Unfortunately, star center Jack Hughes will miss approximately eight weeks following finger surgery, a significant blow to New Jersey’s offensive capabilities. In addition, Cody Glass has been placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury, leaving the team relying on depth players and recent recalls. Defenseman Ethan Edwards has been called up from the AHL’s Utica Comets but is expected to be a healthy scratch for tonight’s contest.
Despite these setbacks, the Devils have managed to remain competitive, holding a 13-4-1 record over the first month-plus of the season. The team’s resilience, often referred to as the NHL’s “Ship of Theseus,” reflects an ability to adapt as new players rotate into the lineup. While injuries have hit key contributors, the Devils’ depth and coaching adjustments have allowed them to maintain their footing in the Eastern Conference standings.
The absence of Hughes, arguably the team’s most essential player, will present a unique challenge. His injury leaves a void at center ice, a position that lacks the same depth found on the right side of the defensive corps. Jack Hughes’ anticipated return in mid-January will be critical, but until then, the team will need consistent contributions from other key players. Captain Nico Hischier will be central to this effort. After a strong start to the season, Hischier has struggled recently, and regaining his form will be essential for New Jersey to navigate the next two months successfully.
Young defenseman Simon Nemec has emerged as a bright spot during this turbulent period. His recent performances, including a hat trick and overtime winner in Chicago and a decisive shootout goal in Washington, demonstrate his ability to contribute offensively from the blue line. While Nemec continues to refine his overall game, his offensive production provides a crucial counterbalance to the team’s injury-depleted roster.
Special teams have also remained a key strength. The Devils’ power play and penalty kill units rank among the league’s top performers, offering stability in games where 5-on-5 production may be limited. Maintaining efficiency on special teams will be vital to offset the absence of Hughes and other injured players.
Coach Sheldon Keefe faces tactical decisions as the team adapts to these challenges. With high-speed transition offense hampered by injuries, New Jersey may need to adopt a more methodical approach, emphasizing defensive structure and opportunistic scoring. Balancing this with the need to generate offense from remaining star forwards will be critical to keeping the Devils in contention.
Beyond internal adjustments, general manager Tom Fitzgerald may explore roster moves to bolster the lineup. Names like Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly and St. Louis’ Jordan Kyrou have surfaced as potential trade targets who could address immediate gaps at center and wing, respectively. Any addition would need to balance cap considerations with the opportunity to enhance the team’s playoff window this season.
Fans traveling to Tampa Bay can expect a high-stakes matchup that tests the Devils’ depth, skill, and resilience. Despite the challenges posed by injuries, New Jersey’s combination of emerging talent, veteran leadership, and strategic coaching gives them the tools to compete against one of the Eastern Conference’s elite teams. This game will not only showcase the team’s adaptability but also highlight the players stepping up in the absence of their star center.
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