The New Jersey Devils began their 2025-26 NHL campaign right where their last season ended — inside Raleigh’s Lenovo Center, facing the Carolina Hurricanes. But what Devils fans hoped would be a night of redemption instead turned into a frustrating reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. New Jersey fell 6-3 in a back-and-forth game that exposed defensive lapses, costly penalties, and a team still trying to find its identity.

Just 163 days after Carolina knocked New Jersey out of the playoffs on this very ice, the Devils returned hoping to flip the script. But despite tying the game three times and pushing late, the final minutes unraveled in devastating fashion. With three goals allowed in the last 2:43 of the third period, the Devils walked away with more questions than answers.

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A Familiar Foe, A Familiar Feeling

Carolina wasted no time reminding the Devils of their offensive prowess. Less than five minutes into the first period, former Devil Taylor Hall opened the scoring, redirecting a shot that slipped through Jacob Markstrom’s five-hole. Despite flashes of fight from New Jersey — including a first-period equalizer from Dougie Hamilton and a slick second-period tally by Cody Glass — the Hurricanes controlled the tempo.

Newcomer K’Andre Miller, in his debut with Carolina, made an immediate impact with two goals, including the third-period go-ahead strike. Seth Jarvis capped off the night with two late goals — one a deflection, the other an empty-net dagger — to put the game away for good.

What Went Wrong for New Jersey?

There were moments where New Jersey looked poised to take control. Luke Hughes showed strong transition play and tallied two assists despite not appearing in the preseason. Dougie Hamilton was physical and productive, even scoring a key goal in the second. But inconsistency plagued the Devils all night.

Faceoffs in the defensive zone led to several breakdowns — a key issue that contributed to multiple Carolina goals. The penalty kill was tested heavily and cracked at critical moments, including on Miller’s second goal. And while Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves, a handful of pucks got past him that, on another night, he might have stopped.

What was most alarming wasn’t necessarily the goals allowed — it was how they were allowed. Turnovers, blown coverages, and lack of urgency on the backcheck opened the door again and again for the Hurricanes. When the Devils had a chance to take the lead in the third, they lacked the discipline and execution to capitalize.

Power Play Pains and Penalty Kill Woes

Special teams were a letdown. The Devils had one full power play and did virtually nothing with it. Instead of establishing possession and setting up clean looks, the unit struggled with zone entries and was outshot while up a man. Given how tight this game remained for most of the night, a single power play goal could have turned the tide.

On the other side, the penalty kill was stretched too thin. The Devils took several unnecessary penalties, including multiple slashing calls from Paul Cotter and Luke Hughes, and each one added pressure on an already fatigued defensive group. While Markstrom made some highlight-reel saves, he couldn’t bail them out forever.

A Glimpse of Positives

Despite the frustrating outcome, the Devils did show signs of life. Cody Glass looked sharp and confident, notching a goal and putting in work on both ends. Jesper Bratt scored the third goal for New Jersey on a smooth finish after a strong play by Brett Pesce, who returned to the game after taking a shot to the back earlier.

Luke Hughes, though clearly still getting back to game speed, flashed his high ceiling — particularly with his assists and zone exits. And the top line, centered by Nico Hischier, generated pressure even when the scoresheet didn’t fully reflect it.

Injuries and Lineup Concerns

Evgenii Dadonov left the game early in the third period after taking a puck to the hand. X-rays were reportedly negative, but he didn’t return. The Devils finished the game with just 11 forwards and looked noticeably off-balance without the veteran winger.

That injury could open the door for Arseny Gritsyuk to move up the lineup in the coming games. Gritsyuk was quiet in this one, struggling to connect with his linemates on the fourth line. Similarly, the Palat-Glass-Brown line failed to generate much offense and were often caught in their own zone.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe, making his regular season debut behind the Devils bench, acknowledged the effort but was blunt about the team’s performance, stating they were “the second-best team all night.” It’s clear there’s still much to iron out — from chemistry to structure to special teams execution.

Looking Ahead

The good news for New Jersey? It’s only one game. This roster still has the pieces to make a serious run — elite talent in Jack Hughes, scoring depth, and a revamped blue line led by Dougie Hamilton and the emerging Luke Hughes. But early season losses like this offer a clear message: no one’s going to hand this team a playoff spot.

To take the next step in the East, the Devils need to clean up their defensive zone, find a consistent rhythm on the power play, and stay disciplined under pressure. With another game just around the corner, there’s no time to dwell.

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