The New Jersey Devils are staring down a crucial stretch that could define their season - a four-game road trip through Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest that’s anything but forgiving. It’s the kind of swing that tests a team’s depth, resilience, and playoff mettle. For a Devils squad still trying to find its identity amid a turbulent season, this upcoming week could be a turning point.
A Confidence Boost Before the Gauntlet
Let’s start with the good news: the Devils are coming off a pair of gritty wins - a 4-3 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild and an overtime thriller against the Seattle Kraken. Those wins, sandwiched around a tough loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, gave the team a much-needed jolt. More importantly, they eased some of the pressure mounting around GM Tom Fitzgerald and head coach Sheldon Keefe, both of whom were feeling the heat during the team’s recent slide.
But now comes the real test. Four games in six nights, all on the road, against teams that play fast, physical, and with playoff aspirations of their own.
Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Seattle - that’s a gauntlet by any standard. And for a Devils team hovering around the wild card bubble, this trip could either solidify their playoff push or deepen the questions about where this roster is headed.
Jack Hughes: Still Driving the Bus, Even Without Goals
Jack Hughes remains the heartbeat of this team, and while the goal column hasn’t changed in 11 straight games, his impact is still undeniable. He’s dishing assists like a point guard on a heater - nine in his last 10 games - and he continues to be the catalyst on the power play.
His vision, timing, and ability to create space are elite. But let’s be honest: the Devils need Hughes to start lighting the lamp again, especially with a matchup against the high-octane Edmonton Oilers looming.
Against teams that can score in bunches, New Jersey’s best player will need to be a finisher, not just a facilitator.
Trade Winds Blowing Around Palat and Hamilton
As the trade deadline creeps closer, the rumor mill is starting to churn - and two big names are at the center of it: Ondrej Palat and Dougie Hamilton.
Palat, a proven playoff performer, has reportedly drawn interest as the Devils explore ways to free up cap space and retool their forward group. His contract could complicate matters, but his experience and versatility still hold value for contending teams.
Hamilton’s situation is murkier. He’s been in and out of the lineup, and his agent has raised eyebrows by suggesting the team’s decisions may be financially motivated rather than performance-based.
It’s a storyline worth watching, especially if the Devils continue to hover around the playoff cut line. Moving a player of Hamilton’s caliber is never simple, but where there’s smoke, there’s usually some fire.
The Road Ahead: Jan. 18-25
Here’s what the Devils are staring down over the next week:
- Mon, Jan. 19 @ Calgary Flames (9:00 PM ET) - The trip kicks off at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary’s a team that thrives on physicality, so New Jersey’s forwards will need to match that edge early.
- Tue, Jan. 20 @ Edmonton Oilers (10:00 PM ET) - Back-to-back nights, now facing McDavid and Draisaitl. This is the toughest test of the trip, and one where Jack Hughes will need to go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite.
- Fri, Jan. 23 @ Vancouver Canucks (10:00 PM ET) - A showdown with the Hughes brothers’ former team. Expect some emotion in this one, and don’t be surprised if it turns into a track meet.
- Sun, Jan. 25 @ Seattle Kraken (4:00 PM ET) - A rematch of last week’s overtime win. Seattle will be looking for payback, and the Devils will want to close the trip with momentum.
Final Word
This is the kind of road trip that reveals who you are as a team. For the Devils, it’s not just about wins and losses - it’s about showing they can hang with the West’s best, that their stars can rise to the occasion, and that the noise around the front office and trade rumors doesn’t shake the locker room.
If they come out of this stretch with points in hand and confidence intact, the playoff picture starts to look a lot clearer. If not, the questions - and the pressure - will only grow louder.