The New Jersey Devils have officially reached the halfway mark of their season. After a horrendous 2023-2024 season, disappointing fans by missing the playoffs, the Devils have redeemed themselves this year by currently ranking second overall in the metropolitan division. The New Jersey Devils have blown away fans, and are hoping to prove themselves as serious Stanley Cup contenders this 2025 season.
The Devils success did not transpire overnight. During last year’s off season, the Devils fired their head coach, Lindy Ruff, replacing him with former Toronto Maple Leafs Coach, Sheldon Keefe. From this point out, several trades and new players were welcomed to New Jersey. The team received players such as, Forwards Brett Pesce (Carolina Hurricanes), and Paul Cotter (Las Vegas Knights). Along with defensive man, Brendon Dillon (Winnipeg Jets) and goaltender Jacob Markstrom (Calgary Flames). After remodeling their team, New Jersey has proven that they are serious playoff contenders. Currently as of January 2025, The New Jersey Devils stats record 25-15-3 (52 points) just one point shy of tying with first overall, the Washington Capitals.
These stats would be impossible to reach without the Devil’s team leaders. New Jersey’s star player, Jack Hughes is currently leading the Devils in “most points earned” this season with a total of 48 points. Following closely behind, left wing, Jesper Bratt is leading the team in goal assists, with 34 earned, alongside their Captain, Nico Hischier, who is leading the team in goals, with a whopping score of 19 goals this season so far. Timo Meier, the Devil’s right wing has earned the most penalty minutes this season, for being in the box for a total of 50 minutes. And New Jersey’s final team leader, leading the team in +/- is defensive man Johnathan Kovacevic, with 16 points. Currently, the Devils have 25 season wins, followed by 15 losses.
Nevertheless, the New Jersey are on their second losing streak of the year. On December 28, New Jersey was handed their first L from the Carolina Hurricanes. New Jersey then proceeded to lose on both New Years Eve, and New Year’s Day to the teams, Anaheim Ducks, and LA Kings. Moving forward into the weekend the Devils had a heartbreaking loss to the San Jose Sharks, losing 3-2 within the last 20 seconds of the game. If the Devils are unable to shake off this losing streak during the second half of the season, it can seriously jeopardize their spot in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The New Jersey Devils week ahead consists of facing their rivals, the New York Rangers, who are currently ranked 27th overall in the National Hockey League, out of 32 teams. The New Jersey Devils have faced their rivals twice this season, leading 2-0 against New York. On December 2nd, the New Jerseys Devils, scored 5 goals on New York Rangers Goalie, Igor Shesterkin. Rangers not being able to put up a fight, loss brutally (5-1). The rivals rematched on December 23rd, ending with the Devils winning impressively with a shutout against New York, (5- 0), making New Jersey fans exceedingly happy. Moving forward in this series, there is a lot of tension buzzing in the air for the rivalry’s important matchup on January 9th. To add to this tension, New York Rangers beloved boogie man, Matt Rempe, will be released from his 8 game suspension for boarding and elbowing player, Miro Hieskanen. Fans are eagerly waiting to hear if Rempe will be placed in the line up against New Jersey, due to the long history Rempe has created with the Devils. Last season the 6’8 rookie, critically injured 2 of New Jersey’s players, gained yet again, another suspension, and fueled the rivalry by starting a 5 on 5 line brawl, last April. Could this be a turning point in the Devil’s season, jeopardizing their playoff abilities? Only time will tell if The New Jersey Devils will be able to clean up their act, and make it to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.