The New Jersey Devils return home to the Prudential Center tonight, October 16, 2025, for their highly anticipated home opener against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. The puck drops at 7:00 PM EDT, with coverage available on MSG Sportsnet. This matchup promises to set the tone for the Devils’ 2025-26 season as they face a Panthers team looking to recover from a tough back-to-back road stretch.
The Devils enter the game with a 2-1 record after a road trip that showcased their resilience and emerging chemistry. Dawson Mercer has already made a strong early-season impact, recording two goals in the team’s 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Florida, meanwhile, started the season strong at home with a three-game winning streak but has stumbled in its first two road contests, including a narrow defeat in Detroit last night. Tonight marks the first meeting between these two Eastern Conference contenders this season.
New Jersey is managing a challenging start to the season with several key players sidelined due to injury. Starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom is out for a couple of weeks with a lower-body injury, while forward Zack MacEwen has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body issue, and Evgenii Dadonov is expected to miss at least two weeks after fracturing his hand. Defensively, Johnathan Kovacevic remains on long-term injured reserve with a knee injury, and Seamus Casey is out until early November. Additional absences include Stefan Noesen, Juho Lammikko, and Marc McLaughlin, leaving head coach Sheldon Keefe to carefully balance his lineup. To bolster the crease, Nico Daws has been recalled from the Utica Comets and may see action in tonight’s game depending on how the team manages Markstrom’s availability and Jake Allen’s workload.
The Devils’ early-season success has been bolstered by standout performances from Jesper Bratt, who has tallied two goals and two assists, and defenseman Luke Hughes, contributing four assists. On the Florida side, Anton Lundell and veteran forward Brad Marchand are expected to drive much of the offense, though the team will be without key stars Matthew Tkachuk and captain Aleksander Barkov, who are sidelined due to injuries.
Tonight’s matchup offers an important test for New Jersey’s young roster, particularly as the Devils look to assert themselves against one of the NHL’s top teams. With the Prudential Center’s home-ice advantage, the Devils hope to maintain momentum from their opening road trip while providing fans with an electric atmosphere in Newark. Betting odds currently favor the Devils as -142 favorites, reflecting the team’s strong start and the Panthers’ road struggles.
Beyond the ice, the Devils continue to manage player rotations and workloads carefully, particularly in the goalie position. Keefe has emphasized the importance of protecting his netminders across the long 82-game season, with Daws serving as a reliable backup capable of stepping into high-pressure situations. His previous performances with the Devils and the AHL Utica Comets highlight his potential to rise to the occasion, particularly in matchups that test the depth and resilience of New Jersey’s roster.
Fans can expect a fast-paced, competitive showdown as the Devils aim to establish dominance early in the season against a championship-caliber opponent. With injuries affecting key positions, tonight will also provide an opportunity for emerging players to make their mark, showcase depth, and build chemistry that could define the team’s trajectory this season.
For detailed coverage of New Jersey Devils games, player updates, and season analysis, visit Explore New Jersey Devils. The home opener against the Panthers promises to be an unmissable evening of high-intensity hockey in Newark, highlighting the talent, strategy, and determination that define the Devils’ 2025-26 campaign.
