The New Jersey Devils returned to home ice on Wednesday looking to steady themselves after a shaky stretch, but instead found their slump deepening in a 3–0 loss to the Dallas Stars. The defeat marked their third straight setback and added to a troubling pattern that has emerged since injuries began reshaping the roster. With frustration building among fans and urgency rising inside the locker room, the performance raised new concerns about how the team will navigate the coming weeks. For continued coverage, analysis, and updates on the state of the franchise, Explore New Jersey’s New Jersey Devils section remains the go-to destination.
The night began with a moment of celebration, as defenseman Brenden Dillon was honored for reaching the 1,000-game milestone. But once the puck dropped, the Devils struggled to generate any rhythm or pressure. Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped all 30 shots he faced, turning in a composed, efficient performance to secure his first career victory over New Jersey and a shutout to go with it. Jacob Markstrom, who manned the crease for the Devils, allowed three goals on 27 shots, though he received little help from a defensive unit still adjusting to absences and inconsistency.
For much of the night, the Devils appeared out of sync, unable to match the pace or structure of a Dallas team that has been one of the NHL’s strongest road squads this season. Miro Heiskanen opened the scoring midway through the second period when a mix-up between Markstrom and Jonas Siegenthaler created the space he needed. Moments later, Jason Robertson struck again, capitalizing on sustained offensive-zone pressure as the Devils struggled to contain the Stars’ cycle.
The final blow came early in the third period when Mikko Rantanen slipped behind coverage and tapped in his 12th of the year, effectively putting the game out of reach. A Prudential Center crowd of more than 15,000 had little to cheer for as the Devils worked through sporadic scoring chances without breaking through.
With the loss, New Jersey has now dropped three straight and is just 4-6-0 since star center Jack Hughes was sidelined with a finger injury requiring surgery. His absence has been felt in all areas—transition play, offensive creativity, and the power-play rhythm that helped fuel the team’s early-season rise to the top of the Eastern Conference. Without him, the Devils have struggled to control games, particularly against top-tier opponents.
And Hughes is hardly the only missing piece. Brett Pesce remains on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body issue that still requires “weeks” of healing time. Jonathan Kovacevic has yet to debut this season following offseason knee surgery. Evgenii Dadonov, Zack MacEwen, and Marc McLaughlin continue to work back from injuries of their own, thinning the team’s depth at both forward and defense. Dillon, even while celebrating a major milestone, was shaken up during the game but managed to play part of the night.
The shortage of healthy bodies has also fueled speculation about what comes next. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald is reportedly evaluating external options, exploring potential trades or roster adjustments that could keep the Devils competitive while they wait for reinforcements. With the season’s midpoint approaching, the margin for error has narrowed, especially in a tight Metropolitan Division where positioning can shift dramatically within a week.
Adding minor controversy to the evening, the Devils warmed up without helmets as a tribute to Dillon’s milestone. The gesture earned the team a league reminder about uniform rules, highlighting how even heartfelt moments can draw the NHL’s attention when they brush against policy.
Next on the schedule is a crucial home matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night. Vegas enters the game fresh off a 4–3 shootout victory over Chicago, with former Devil Akira Schmid now serving as backup after an impressive start to his season. The Golden Knights are expected to arrive with confidence, and the Devils will need a far more energetic, structured effort to avoid letting their slide continue.
New Jersey spent the early fall establishing itself as one of the East’s most dangerous teams. Now, facing adversity and a battered lineup, the Devils will look to rediscover the spark that propelled them to the top of the standings. The home crowd will be waiting to see how they answer.
