The New Jersey Devils are at an all-time high this season, currently holding the reins for the Metropolitan Division. With a record of 24-12, they currently hold an impressive .667 win percentage, which is .204 higher than last season’s .463 (as of Dec. 30). With a +32 goal differential, the Devils continue to prove they stand as one of the strongest in the league.
Some players we’re seeing more from this season are LW Jesper Bratt, C Jack Hughes, and C Nico Hischier. Bratt with 14 goals and 33 assists, Jack Hughes with 15 goals and 31 assists, and Hischier with 18 goals and 16 assists, they’re a trio known not to mess with. Not far behind them, RW’s Timo Meier, Stefan Noesen, and even defenseman Dougie Hamilton have exceeded offensively, all acquiring 20-plus points this season. Menace in the league this year, the Devils are a force to be reckoned with. Together the team has accumulated 130 goals, 211 assists, and 341 points overall (NHL.com).
Going to the Blueline, Jersey’s defense has been on fire this season. While working with some of the best defensive players, head coach Sheldon Keefe worked to find the best lineup. After trying various combinations, three sets of partners seemed to stick. Defensive line partners Hughes and Pesce, Hamilton and Dillon, as well as Kovacevic and Siegenthaler have all been quick and adaptive to anything that crosses their side of the ice, making Keefe’s decision to keep them as the starting defensive lines easy (The Morning Puck). With only 98 goals against vs the 130 they’ve earned this season; the defense has done a pretty good job keeping the puck on the offensive side of the ice.
Working both offensively and defensively, goaltending this season has been a huge step up from last year. Jacob Markstrom, this year’s starting goalie has been deadly this year. With a save percentage of .914, it is hard to get anything past Markstrom (ESPN). After getting traded by the Flames for a first-round pick in the 2025 Draft and D Kevin Bahl, the Swedish goaltender has showed up and proved his worth.
So far this season we’ve seen the team face off and dominate against previous threats such as the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, Florida Panthers. Also defeating the Washington Capitals twice in the regular season has been a step up from last year, where the team suffered three losses when playing the Capitals. The tri-state’s favorite rivalry, the Rangers dominated vs the Devils last season. This year, we’re seeing a turn in events, where the Devils have two up on the Rangers, still with more than half the season still to come.
The Devils are dominating the Metropolitan Division this season. Holding the No. 1 position, how much longer can they hold it for? With 43 more regular season games to go, and a possible run for the cup, there is much more to come for the New Jersey Devils. One big question remains, can the New Jersey Devils keep it up?
