The New Jersey Devils have had a whirlwind of a week, defined by highs, lows, and the kind of growing pains that often come early in the NHL season. Coming off a dominant 5–1 win over the St. Louis Blues on October 29, the team appeared to be finding its rhythm again. But their trip to the West Coast brought a harsh reminder that consistency remains the missing piece. Thursday night’s 5–2 loss to the San Jose Sharks highlighted both the Devils’ offensive firepower and the defensive miscues that continue to hold them back.
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Jack Hughes continues to be the heartbeat of this team, and his return from injury has given New Jersey an immediate jolt. Since being activated off injured reserve on October 30, Hughes has wasted no time reestablishing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic forwards. He notched a goal in his return game against Boston and followed that up with two more against St. Louis, showcasing his elite playmaking ability and unmatched speed. When Hughes is in form, the Devils’ offense looks entirely different — faster, more confident, and dangerous from every angle.
That St. Louis win was a complete effort. Jake Allen was steady in goal, stopping 25 of 26 shots, while goals from Erik Haula, Curtis Lazar, and rookie defenseman Simon Nemec rounded out a convincing team performance. Lazar, who just inked a three-year, $2.25 million contract extension, continues to prove his value as a reliable bottom-six forward capable of contributing in all situations. His physical style and leadership presence add balance to a team stacked with finesse talent.
But the momentum didn’t carry west. Against San Jose, the Devils stumbled out of the gate, giving up a breakaway goal less than a minute into the game. Turnovers, penalties, and poor zone coverage quickly buried them in a 3–0 hole before the first intermission. While Dawson Mercer provided a spark late in the period, redirecting a perfect Jack Hughes feed past Alex Nedeljkovic, New Jersey could never quite climb back into it.
The middle frame offered flashes of improvement. The Devils outshot the Sharks for much of the second period, controlling possession and dictating pace, but couldn’t convert quality chances. Ondrej Palat, playing alongside Hughes and Jesper Bratt, found himself in prime scoring position multiple times, only to be denied each time by Nedeljkovic. On the other side, San Jose capitalized on nearly every opportunity, with goals from Will Smith and Dmitry Orlov stretching the lead to 5–1.
In the third, Mercer struck again — this time redirecting a Dougie Hamilton one-timer for his second goal of the night — but the Devils never truly threatened to make it a contest. The 5–2 loss marked the team’s second straight defeat, coming just days after a tough outing in Colorado.
Jake Allen, who has been largely solid so far this season, endured his first rough performance in red and black. Allowing five goals on 28 shots, he looked out of sync behind a defense that too often left him exposed. Still, there’s no cause for alarm — Allen has been a stabilizing presence early this season, and every goaltender has the occasional off night.
Meanwhile, the team continues to monitor Timo Meier’s injury status. The power forward missed the matchup against St. Louis and remains day-to-day. His absence has been noticeable — not only does Meier bring a physical presence around the crease, but his ability to draw defenders opens up time and space for Hughes and Bratt to operate.
Simon Nemec, the promising young defenseman, remains a focal point of development. While he’s shown flashes of brilliance with his puck movement and vision, his defensive zone play has been inconsistent. Against San Jose, a couple of costly giveaways led directly to goals, offering another learning experience for the 20-year-old. The Devils remain confident in his long-term trajectory, and with his poise and raw skill, it’s only a matter of time before he tightens up those details.
Up next, the Devils return home to face the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night at 7:00 PM EST at the Prudential Center. The team will be eager to get back on track in front of their home crowd, where they’ve typically played their best hockey. After that, New Jersey faces a busy stretch with games against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 5 and the San Jose Sharks again on November 7 — a chance for redemption that’s sure to be circled on their calendar.
Despite recent struggles, optimism around Newark remains strong. With Jack Hughes healthy and producing, Curtis Lazar locked up long-term, and the team continuing to generate strong underlying numbers, the pieces are in place for a turnaround. What the Devils need now is consistency — not just flashes of brilliance, but a full 60-minute effort every night.
For fans, this team remains one of the most exciting to watch in the NHL. Their speed, youth, and skill make every game unpredictable and electric. As the season progresses, expect the Devils to build on their recent lessons and find the balance needed to reassert themselves as one of the Eastern Conference’s true contenders.
Stay up to date on every Devils storyline, roster update, and game recap at Explore New Jersey’s New Jersey Devils section, your local source for everything happening on and off the ice in the Garden State.
Trevor Zegras Leads Flyers to Strong Showing Against Nashville as Vladar Shines in Net
The Philadelphia Flyers extended their impressive home form Thursday night with a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators at Xfinity Mobile Arena, fueled by the electrifying play of Trevor Zegras. Zegras, who scored twice and assisted on Jamie Drysdale’s decisive goal, continues to prove why he is one of the most dynamic young talents in the NHL. With this win, the Flyers improved to 6-1 on home ice and climbed into fourth place in the Metropolitan Division.
Zegras has been on a tear, recording points in each of his first seven home games this season. He now sits just one game shy of tying the Flyers’ record of eight consecutive home games with a point, held jointly by Peter Forsberg and Peter Zezel. Leading the team with 12 points, Zegras has become the focal point of the Flyers’ offense. Despite his on-ice theatrics, he remains modest off it, attributing his success to teamwork and the energy from the home crowd. “I just try to play a good game every time I go out there. Feed off my teammates that are doing the right thing. Another big two points at home. The fans are unbelievable. So fun to play in front of them. They bring so much good energy. It’s awesome,” Zegras said after the game.
The Flyers’ offensive spark was complemented by strong contributions from Ivan Michkov, who assisted on both Zegras goals and set up Drysdale’s game-winner. Coach Rick Tocchet praised Michkov’s impact, calling him the team’s “human smelling salts” for injecting energy and focus when the squad needed it. Zegras’ coordination with Michkov and defenseman Cam York, who set up a power-play goal from long range, highlights a growing chemistry among the Flyers’ key contributors.
The game opened with a scoreless first period, in which Philadelphia struggled to generate offense, registering just three shots on goal while Nashville applied pressure. However, the Flyers’ discipline in critical moments, such as key defensive penalties and timely interventions from Drysdale and Bobby Brink, prevented the Predators from capitalizing early. Once Zegras found his stride in the second period, the momentum shifted. He scored on a feed from Michkov, then orchestrated the sequence that allowed Drysdale to score the decisive goal from close range, a rare moment for a defenseman.
Goaltender Dan Vladar continued his remarkable season, earning his sixth straight win without allowing more than two goals in any start. Vladar’s composure and timely saves were instrumental in keeping the Flyers competitive through a period of slow starts and limited offensive production. Teammates widely credited him for stabilizing the game, particularly during stretches when the Predators applied consistent pressure.
The Flyers’ performance reflects not only the rise of Zegras and the steady play of Vladar but also the team’s depth and resilience. Michkov, who had been limited earlier due to a summer ankle injury, displayed signs of regaining his scoring touch, contributing two assists and nearly doubling his point total for the season. Drysdale’s opportunistic play and ability to capitalize in front of the net further reinforced Philadelphia’s balanced attack.
Looking ahead, the Flyers are positioned to build on this momentum during the remainder of their home stand, with the Toronto Maple Leafs scheduled to visit for the fourth game of their five-game stretch. Zegras’ continuing production, combined with Vladar’s consistency in goal, positions the Flyers as a formidable contender at home. With young stars emerging, veteran leaders contributing, and the team gradually regaining full health, Philadelphia fans can anticipate more exciting performances in the weeks to come. For updates on Flyers games, player performances, and ticket information, explore Explore New Jersey’s Hockey sports coverage, your source for live events and professional sports highlights in the region.
