The New Jersey Devils are riding a three-game win streak, and the timing couldn’t be better. After a successful road swing through Western Canada, they’ll look to keep that momentum rolling as they close out their road trip and finally return home for a brief-but pivotal-homestand.
With the Olympic break looming, this week offers a key stretch for the Devils to solidify their position and build some consistency. Here's what to watch as they navigate the week of Jan. 25 through Feb.
Final Stop Out West: Seattle
The Devils will finish their four-game road trip on Sunday with a matinee clash against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. So far, it’s been a gritty and impressive tour through Canada-wins over the Flames, Oilers, and Canucks have shown the kind of resilience and depth this team has been striving for all season. Now, the challenge is to finish strong against a Kraken team that can be deceptively tough at home.
A sweep of the trip would be a statement, especially considering what lies ahead. After Sunday, the Devils get a quick breather at home, with two games at the Prudential Center before heading back on the road for one last tilt ahead of the Olympic break.
Back at The Rock: Time to Flip the Script at Home
Let’s be honest-home ice hasn’t exactly been a fortress for the Devils in January. They’re 2-2-0 at the Prudential Center this month, and with only two home games on the schedule this week, there’s a real opportunity to give the fans something to cheer about before the league hits pause.
They’ll host the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, a team that edged them out 4-3 earlier this month. That one stung, and you can bet the Devils have that game circled.
Then it’s the Nashville Predators on Thursday, the first meeting between these two teams this season. Both games are winnable, but they’ll require the kind of complete, 60-minute efforts we’ve seen on the road.
Lenni Hameenaho: Making His Presence Felt
One of the most exciting developments of this road trip has been the NHL debut of forward Lenni Hameenaho. The 21-year-old Finn stepped into the lineup against Calgary and hasn’t looked back.
In three games, Hameenaho has been on the ice for 33 shot attempts and 19 scoring chances, while registering 24 shots on goal. That’s not just activity-that’s impact.
He’s been skating alongside Cody Glass and Arseny Gritsyuk on the bottom six, and the trio has brought a noticeable spark. Hameenaho’s first NHL goal came early against Vancouver, when he buried a rebound just 1:41 into the game. That kind of quick-strike ability is exactly what the Devils have been missing from their depth lines.
The Devils are 3-0-0 with Hameenaho in the lineup. It’s early, but he’s already proving he belongs-and more importantly, that he can contribute.
Blue Line Without Luke Hughes: Next Man Up
The Devils were dealt a tough blow when Luke Hughes exited the game against Calgary with a shoulder injury. He’s since been placed on long-term injured reserve and has opted for rehab over surgery. That’s good news in the long run, but he won’t be back before the Olympic break.
Hughes leads all Devils defensemen with 26 points, and his offensive instincts from the blue line are hard to replace. But the team isn’t short on talent. Dougie Hamilton and Simon Nemec have stepped up, and while their styles differ from Hughes, they’ve done a solid job keeping the puck moving and generating chances.
The bigger question is whether the rest of the defensive corps can continue to tighten things up in their own zone. Limiting high-danger chances and supporting the goaltenders will be crucial, especially as the schedule tightens.
This Week’s Schedule: Four Games, Big Implications
Here’s how the Devils’ week shakes out:
- Sunday, Jan. 25 @ Seattle Kraken (3:00 PM ET) Final stop on the road trip. A win here would cap off a perfect 4-0 sweep through Western Canada and Seattle.
- Tuesday, Jan. 27 vs. Winnipeg Jets (7:00 PM ET) Time for payback. The Devils dropped a close one to the Jets earlier this month.
Expect a high-energy response on home ice.
- Thursday, Jan. 29 vs. Nashville Predators (7:00 PM ET) The first of two meetings this season. Nashville’s a physical team, so the Devils will need to match their intensity.
- Saturday, Jan. 31 @ Ottawa Senators (7:00 PM ET) One last road game before the Olympic break. A chance to head into the pause with momentum-and maybe a four- or five-game win streak.
The Devils are heating up at the right time. With young talent stepping up, veterans holding the line, and a chance to make a statement before the league takes a breather, this week could be a turning point. If they can carry the road-trip swagger back to Newark and keep it rolling, the second half of the season might just get very interesting.