The New Jersey Devils’ recent road swing came to a disappointing close Sunday night as they fell 4–1 to the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center. Despite a spirited push in the third period, the Devils were unable to overcome an early deficit, leaving the team and fans reflecting on missed opportunities during a challenging four-game trip.

The Ducks came out firing, taking control of the first period with a pair of quick goals and extending their lead to 3–0 in the second. New Jersey showed signs of life in the third when Jack Hughes netted the team’s lone goal, assisted by Dawson Mercer. The effort, however, was not enough to spark a comeback, and the Ducks sealed the outcome with an empty-net goal. Goaltender Jake Allen made 26 saves on 29 shots, keeping New Jersey in the game longer than the score might indicate. The 1–3–0 road trip record underscores the challenges the Devils face when away from home.

Injuries continue to take a toll on New Jersey’s lineup. Cody Glass remains on injured reserve, and free-agent acquisition Evgenii Dadanov is sidelined with a long-term injury. Defenseman Brett Pesce is out for at least a month following an upper-body injury sustained on October 26, while forward Connor Brown missed his second straight game against Anaheim with an undisclosed issue. Amid these setbacks, the team has been forced to rely on younger players and depth contributions to maintain competitiveness.

Despite the adversity, there are bright spots. Luke Hughes has continued to impress, recently reaching the 100-point milestone early in his career, showcasing his offensive potential and composure on the blue line. Defenseman Simon Nemec also marked a milestone, skating in his 100th NHL game against the Ducks.

Goaltender Jacob Markström has returned from a lower-body injury that initially sidelined him for weeks and recently signed a two-year, $12 million extension on October 31, securing stability between the pipes. Prospects like Thomas Bordeleau, acquired in a trade from San Jose earlier this year, are receiving opportunities to contribute, highlighted by Bordeleau’s new contract with the organization.

Offseason and trade rumors continue to swirl as the Devils look to bolster their roster amid injuries. Reports have linked New Jersey to a forward with the Nashville Predators, signaling management’s intent to add depth and experience to an already young core. Meanwhile, Jonas Siegenthaler has faced scrutiny over a slow start to the season, with analysts noting dips in both metrics and overall production, a concern as the team attempts to stabilize defensively.

The Devils now turn their attention back home as they seek to rebound in front of their fans. The combination of emerging talent, key veteran contributions, and roster adjustments will be critical as New Jersey looks to find consistency and compete in a challenging Metropolitan Division. Fans will be watching closely to see how the team responds after a tough stretch on the road, hoping the momentum can shift before injuries and early-season struggles define the narrative.

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