The New Jersey Devils return to home ice tonight with momentum, confidence, and renewed belief as they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes to Prudential Center in a nationally watched Sunday night matchup in downtown Newark. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and the building is expected to be buzzing after the club opened the new year with one of its most complete performances of the season.
New Jersey enters the night riding the high of a convincing 4–1 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Saturday, a game that showcased not only offensive balance but also the disciplined, structured hockey that head coach Sheldon Keefe has been demanding since December. The Devils controlled pace, limited Utah’s time and space, and leaned on a confident Jacob Markstrom between the pipes to secure their second straight win, a milestone the team had struggled to achieve in recent weeks.
That victory carried added meaning because it finally unlocked scoring from the club’s core stars. Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and Dougie Hamilton all found the scoresheet, signaling what many believe could be the turning point in the Devils’ season. For much of December, New Jersey battled offensive droughts from players normally relied upon to drive production. Saturday’s outburst was the clearest indication yet that the group may be rediscovering its offensive rhythm at exactly the right time.
Markstrom continues to stabilize the crease, quietly putting together one of his strongest stretches of the season. Since early December, his rebound control, positioning, and composure have returned to form, giving the Devils the kind of dependable goaltending that allows their aggressive forecheck and high-tempo transition game to flourish. His recent performances have also allowed the coaching staff to better manage workloads and keep legs fresh through a compressed January schedule.
Tonight’s meeting with Carolina is the first of two matchups between the teams this month and begins a critical home stand that could shape the Devils’ position in the Eastern Conference race. New Jersey will host the Seattle Kraken on January 14, the Hurricanes again on January 17, the Winnipeg Jets on January 27, and the Nashville Predators on January 29, turning Prudential Center into one of the busiest buildings in the league over the next several weeks.
Upcoming Games & Events
- Tonight’s Game (Jan 4): The Devils play the Carolina Hurricanes at 7:00 PM EST at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
Hurricanes – Sun, Jan 4 7:00 PM EST
- Upcoming Home Games at Prudential Center, Newark:
- Jan 14, Wed vs. Seattle Kraken at 7:00 PM.
- Jan 17, Sat vs. Carolina Hurricanes at 7:00 PM.
- Jan 27, Tue vs. Winnipeg Jets at 7:00 PM.
- Jan 29, Thu vs. Nashville Predators at 7:00 PM.
- Upcoming Away Games:
- Jan 6, Tue at New York Islanders at 7:30 PM EST.
- Jan 8, Thu at Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:00 PM EST.
- Jan 11, Sun at Winnipeg Jets at 1:00 PM EST.
Before that home stretch unfolds, the Devils will hit the road for a trio of challenging contests, including visits to the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Winnipeg Jets. Those games will test the team’s ability to carry its structured, detail-driven style into hostile environments, something that has been inconsistent at times this season.
Beyond wins and losses, the Devils are also gaining attention on the international stage. Jack Hughes and Jacob Markstrom were recently selected to represent their respective countries in the upcoming Winter Olympics, a testament to their elite-level play and growing reputations around the league.
For fans following the team’s push through the heart of the season, Explore New Jersey’s dedicated New Jersey Devils hub continues to deliver expanded coverage, game previews, and local insight into everything happening on and off the ice.
With a confident locker room, key stars rediscovering their scoring touch, and a goaltender rounding into form, the Devils are beginning to look like a team capable of making noise in the months ahead. Tonight’s showdown with Carolina is more than just another game on the calendar; it is a measuring stick for how far this team has come and how high it may still climb as winter hockey in New Jersey hits full stride.
