The New Jersey Devils’ long, grinding road swing hit another difficult chapter in Tampa Bay, where a 5–1 loss to the Lightning underscored just how much this team has been forced to endure. New Jersey entered the matchup already leaning heavily on its depth, and while the lineup finally welcomed back several familiar faces, the overall push wasn’t enough to overcome a surging Lightning squad fueled by a Jake Guentzel hat trick. For fans following the team closely through our [New Jersey Devils] coverage, this game added another layer to a season defined by adversity.
The Devils’ five-game trip has run directly through some of the most competitive buildings in the league, and Tuesday night was no exception. Even with the return of Dougie Hamilton, Connor Brown, and Evgenii Dadonov, New Jersey struggled to control pace or possession for long stretches. The Lightning capitalized on nearly every breakdown, quickly building momentum and refusing to let New Jersey settle into its game. A lone Devils marker broke through, but sustained offense remained hard to find as Tampa Bay dictated the flow from beginning to end.
New Jersey’s ongoing battle with injuries continues to be the larger story. Jack Hughes’ absence has cast a long shadow over the last several weeks, and Tuesday served as another reminder of how much his creativity and tempo drive this roster. Hughes underwent surgery to repair a damaged finger following a non-hockey accident, and while the outlook suggests roughly eight weeks of recovery, the team plans to re-evaluate him at the six-week mark. His void forces the Devils to lean on combinations that haven’t had much time to build chemistry, and it showed against a Lightning group that thrives on exploiting hesitation.
There were, however, meaningful steps forward. Dougie Hamilton’s return on the blue line adds much-needed stability and puck-moving confidence, and Dadonov’s presence helps restore some depth scoring potential. Brown’s return also strengthens the middle of the lineup, giving New Jersey more options as it works through this stretch. The hope is that these pieces, once fully re-integrated, help the Devils regain rhythm in all three zones.
Elsewhere on the injury front, Cody Glass remains week-to-week with an upper-body issue, while Brett Pesce is inching closer to returning from injured reserve and could soon bolster the defense corps. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom missed practice on Wednesday, but early indications suggest there is no long-term concern. In a season where nearly every update seems to bring a new twist, even minor positives matter.
The schedule offers no easing up as the Devils head to Sunrise to take on the Florida Panthers on Thursday at 7 p.m. EST. The matchup at Amerant Bank Arena poses another test against a high-caliber opponent, but it also provides a chance for New Jersey to recalibrate, regroup, and show what a healthier roster can begin to look like. This portion of the calendar has been unforgiving, but the Devils have an opportunity to shift momentum before they return home.
As the team continues to navigate one of the most injury-heavy stretches in recent memory, these games offer a clear picture of the resilience required to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference. With key players working their way back and the depth beginning to stabilize, the Devils will look to turn the page and reassert their identity on this challenging road trip.
