The New Jersey Devils continue to dominate the early NHL season, riding an impressive 8-1-0 record as they head back on the road to face the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, October 28, at 9:00 p.m. EDT. Their recent overtime triumph against the Avalanche on October 26, a 4–3 victory, highlighted the team’s depth and resilience, with Jack Hughes scoring twice, including the game-winning goal, and contributions from rookie forward Arseniy Gritsyuk and defenseman Luke Hughes. For additional coverage of law enforcement, regulations, and community safety impacting New Jersey, visit https://explorenewjersey.org/category/law-order/.
While the Devils’ win streak and Hughes’ recent recognition as the NHL’s Third Star of the Week showcase the team’s offensive prowess, the Devils are now navigating the challenges of a mounting injury list. Most notably, defenseman Brett Pesce suffered an upper-body injury after a high stick and subsequent collision in the first period against Colorado. Pesce, arguably the team’s most effective defenseman through eight games, will miss the upcoming four-game road trip, leaving a critical hole on the blue line. His early-season analytics underscore his importance: at 5-on-5, Pesce leads the team in shots-for percentage (58.68%), scoring chances (58.06%), and ranks near the top in expected goals for, highlighting his value as both a defensive anchor and transition catalyst.
To fill Pesce’s absence, the Devils recalled Seamus Casey from the Utica Comets, but few expect him to fully replicate Pesce’s impact. This places added pressure on Jonas Siegenthaler, whose performance has slipped relative to past seasons. Early metrics show Siegenthaler struggling at 5-on-5, with a Corsi For percentage of 48.63%, expected goals for under 40%, and defensive metrics that rank near the bottom of the Devils’ roster. Historically a shutdown defenseman, Siegenthaler’s defensive lapses could prove costly with Pesce sidelined. His puck-handling and decision-making have also been under scrutiny, suggesting that adjusting his ice time and pairing strategies could be critical to maintaining New Jersey’s momentum.
Potential strategies to support Siegenthaler and the Devils’ defense include increasing offensive-zone starts to ease his workload, pairing him with Simon Nemec, who has shown flashes of dominance in recent games, and moderating his assignments against elite opponents to limit exposure to top-line threats. These tactical adjustments could help stabilize the team’s back end while Pesce recovers, allowing the Devils to maintain their winning trajectory.
Meanwhile, the rest of the league has witnessed historic milestones. On October 27, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the St. Louis Blues 6–3, with captain Sidney Crosby surpassing 1,700 career points, making him the ninth player in NHL history to reach this mark. Goals from Bryan Rust (2), Anthony Mantha, Parker Wotherspoon, and Crosby himself underscored Pittsburgh’s dominance. In another matchup, the Ottawa Senators routed the Boston Bruins 7–2, powered by two-goal performances from Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle, extending Ottawa’s winning streak to three games.
The Devils’ upcoming contest against the Avalanche presents both an opportunity and a test. With Pesce out and Siegenthaler’s form in question, the team must adapt quickly to protect its perfect points percentage and continue building early-season momentum. Offensively, Hughes remains the engine driving New Jersey forward, while back-up goaltender Jake Allen’s 5-0-0 record, with a 1.93 goals-against average and .923 save percentage, adds stability in net during Jacob Markstrom’s recovery.
As the Devils navigate injuries and maintain their position atop the league standings, their adaptability and depth will be key. With Hughes leading the charge and strategic adjustments on defense, New Jersey fans can anticipate a competitive matchup against the Avalanche that will test the team’s resilience and championship aspirations.
