The New Jersey Devils are making quite the late-season statement, going 7-3-0 in their last ten games after a solid 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators. While a playoff berth seems out of reach, the Devils are building momentum that could carry them into the 2026-27 season with confidence.
Jack Hughes, fresh off his heroic performance for Team USA in the Olympics, is back to superstar form. This version of Hughes is reminiscent of his record-setting 2022-23 season, where he came tantalizingly close to hitting the 100-point mark.
Hughes isn't the only Devil heating up. Jesper Bratt, who struggled earlier this season, has found his groove with six goals and 13 assists in his last 14 games. That translates to a blistering 111-point pace over a full season, potentially breaking his own single-season assist record.
Bratt, now 27, is on the cusp of hitting 20 goals for the fifth consecutive season and has already secured his fifth straight 60-point campaign. Meanwhile, Arseny Gritsyuk and Connor Brown have also stepped up, each tallying seven 5-on-5 points in the last 14 games, trailing only Hughes and Bratt.
Amidst this resurgence, head coach Sheldon Keefe’s future remains uncertain. Despite speculation about his job security, Keefe's influence is evident in the Devils' recent performances, reminiscent of the high-flying style he implemented with the Maple Leafs.
The Devils have shown flashes of brilliance this season and last, capable of dominant stretches. The challenge remains to sustain this over a full 82-game season and into the playoffs.
Whether Keefe is the right person to lead the Devils forward is still up in the air. His recent success might earn him another chance, but the decision will ultimately rest with GM Tom Fitzgerald and the ownership group. For now, the Devils are showing signs of life, and that’s something to build on.