The New Jersey Devils have opened the 2025–26 NHL season with a statement. Five games in, they’ve already notched their first four-game winning streak in nearly three years, rebounding in convincing fashion after an opening night setback to the Carolina Hurricanes. With an 8-point start and a 4-1 record, the Devils sit near the top of the Metropolitan Division — a position earned through speed, structure, and an early surge in special teams play.
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Devils 5, Oilers 3 — October 18, 2025
Saturday’s win over the Edmonton Oilers was another step forward for a team beginning to click on all fronts. Jack Hughes was electric, scoring twice — including the game-winner — while adding an assist. Jesper Bratt continued his torrid start with a power-play goal and a helper, and captain Nico Hischier picked up two assists, one coming on the man advantage.
Connor Brown’s shorthanded goal proved pivotal, showing just how aggressive New Jersey’s penalty kill has become under head coach Lindy Ruff’s early-season adjustments. Dawson Mercer sealed the victory with an empty-netter, and veteran goaltender Jake Allen stood tall with 27 saves in the win.
What’s Behind New Jersey’s Penalty Kill Surge
Through five games, the Devils’ penalty kill is operating at an elite level, erasing 95 percent of opposing power plays. The improvement comes down to structure, anticipation, and renewed energy on the forecheck. Players like Luke Glendening, Brown, and Mercer have been relentless, pressuring puck carriers and forcing mistakes.
Glendening’s defensive-zone faceoff wins have been critical, while Brown’s speed has turned shorthanded situations into scoring opportunities. Allen’s stability in net has also played a major role, particularly with Jacob Markstrom sidelined by a lower-body injury.
Goaltending Carousel and Depth Rising
With Markstrom expected to miss several weeks, the Devils have leaned on Allen to steady the crease. Nico Daws, recently recalled from Utica, may see starts in upcoming back-to-backs as the Devils navigate a demanding early schedule.
Even with key players on the injured list — including Zack MacEwen, Evgenii Dadonov, Johnathan Kovacevic, Seamus Casey, Marc McLaughlin, Stefan Noesen, and Juho Lammikko — New Jersey’s depth has held strong. Offseason arrivals Arseny Gritsyuk and Connor Brown have delivered immediate dividends, both contributing timely goals and responsible play in all three zones.
Gritsyuk, in particular, has turned heads across the league, quickly emerging as a Calder Trophy contender thanks to his blend of creativity and confidence.
Next Up: Toronto Awaits
The Devils head north to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Scotiabank Arena. It’s a key early-season test against one of the NHL’s most potent offensive teams, and a chance for New Jersey to extend its winning streak to five.
With the offense firing on all cylinders and the penalty kill performing at a championship-caliber pace, the Devils look like a team finding its rhythm and rediscovering its identity.
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A Look Ahead and the Jersey Conversation
As the team settles into the season, the conversation around the Devils’ uniforms continues. In the final year of the “Jersey Jersey,” the team will wear its alternate sweater 11 times this season. Fans are already debating what comes next — many hoping to see a road-based white alternate that channels the franchise’s classic identity.
A white alternate would give the Devils flexibility to mix tradition with modern design, much like other NHL teams have done in recent years. With fans still nostalgic for the white home sweaters of the 1990s and 2000s, it’s an idea that feels both fresh and familiar.
Fourth Line Adjustments and Noesen’s Return
New Jersey’s top six forwards have been dominant early, but the fourth line remains a work in progress. Injuries to Dadonov and MacEwen have forced changes, leaving Paul Cotter, Luke Glendening, and Brian Halonen to fill key depth minutes.
Halonen has struggled to generate offense, while Cotter’s decision-making with the puck has been inconsistent. The return of Stefan Noesen could provide the spark this group needs. A gritty, net-front presence who scored 22 goals last season, Noesen brings experience and energy to the bottom six — qualities the Devils will need as the grind of the season continues.
Noesen’s chemistry with Cotter has been a challenge in past matchups, but his return gives Ruff options to balance the lineup and keep the penalty kill strong. If the fourth line can hold its own defensively and chip in offensively, New Jersey’s depth could become one of its greatest strengths.
The Devils are playing with pace, structure, and confidence — and for the first time in years, they look like a team ready to contend every night. With Hughes leading the charge, a thriving penalty kill, and young stars emerging, New Jersey’s early-season momentum feels like more than just a hot streak. It feels like a statement.
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