New Jersey Devils: 5 Dates to Circle with New Schedule Released

After what many consider to be a successful season for the New Jersey Devils, anticipation for the 2023-2024 campaign is at an all-time high with plenty of optimism following the NHL’s recent release of the regular season schedule for all 32 teams. With 2022-23 seeing New Jersey record their best record in franchise history at 52-22-8, fans are eager to get back to the Prudential Center to watch their favorite team contend for the Stanley Cup.

Stars like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Dougie Hamilton are returning, and young neophytes like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec are on the way up. There is no excuse not to be excited for Devils hockey! The NHL and the Devils announced the schedule Tuesday, and it’s an exciting one to say the least.

Everyone is still waiting for an announcement regarding Timo Meier re-signing for the team, but for now, here are five dates that need to be circled for the upcoming season of Devils hockey.

New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings, October 12th 7:00 PM

While Devils fans may not be fond of last season’s home opener against Detroit following a 5-2 loss and some ‘Fire Lindy’ chants, Coach Ruff’s squad will have a chance at redemption on this upcoming opening night.

Last year, Detroit finished with an underwhelming record of 35-37-10 and failed to make the playoffs for a 7th consecutive season. Additionally, ‘Motor City’ will pick 9th in the NHL draft as they continue to try and develop some young core. They are likely not done adding, with rumors saying they could add Alex DeBrincat. This might be his first game in red.

In three matchups last season New Jersey had the edge over Detroit with a 2-1-0 record against them. The road team was victorious in the trio of matchups, and the Devils had a goal differential of +5.

Dougie Hamilton was a player who looked forward to these matchups every time and led all players on both teams with six points across all three games (4 goals, 2 assists). Jesper Bratt found himself with a pair of both goals and assists as well.

To be honest, the Red Wings are a team that the Devils should be able to handle pretty easily for years to come, and while on any other night this wouldn’t be a matchup to watch, how can you not acknowledge both the home and season opener as one of the more exciting moments to come?

Is it October yet?

New Jersey Devils vs. Chicago Blackhawks, January 5th 6:00 PM EST

Just like the NBA did last week, the #1 pick in this upcoming NHL draft could not be more obvious as the Chicago Blackhawks will (likely) soon select 17-year-old Connor Bedard with the 1st overall pick. Bedard has gotten no less hype than Connor McDavid when he entered the NHL in 2015-16 and is expected the make the end of the Patrick Kane era in Chicago not sting as much as it should. While this isn’t the first time the Devils see Bedard, it is the first time he plays NHL hockey in New Jersey.

While Bedard certainly is exciting, this matchup will serve as yet another reunion between the Devils and former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall, who very recently was traded to Chicago in a deal with the Boston Bruins.

Despite being in the early stages of a rebuild, bringing on Bedard has certainly inspired the Hawks’ front office to acquire some veterans, including both Hall and Nick Foligno, so who knows what 6-time Stanley Cup Champions will bring to the table this year?

Yes, the Devils made easy work of the Blackhawks last year with a 3-0 win at home in addition to a 6-3 win on the road, but there’s plenty of entertainment value that gives Devils fans more than an incentive to tune into this one.

New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers, November 18th 7:00 PM

Regardless of how you view the way the Devils’ season ended, it’s simply undeniable that New Jersey’s Game 7 win in the against the New York Rangers is the most satisfying moment in the last decade of Devils hockey. Not only did the Devils come out of the first round for the first time in more than a decade, but they did it by eliminating their biggest rival.

Between moments of former Rangers Keith Yandle saying the Devils won’t make the playoffs and Rangers fans erupting when NJD selected Jack Hughes over Kaapo Kakko, it felt like something like this was long overdue. Unlike more recent seasons when the matchups weren’t very competitive, both sides have plenty to prove across the course of the year.

For the Devils, they need to show the NHL that last year wasn’t a fluke; not just that they’re better than the Rangers, but that they are a serious contender in this league and will be for seasons to come.

As for the Rangers, there is good reason to question their window for a Stanley Cup. Between the underwhelming play of former 1st overall pick Alexis Lafreniere and the disappearing acts of Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin in the playoffs, new coach Peter Laviolette and his team will certainly be playing with a chip on their shoulder for 82 games-plus.

The Hudson River Rivalry will take place four more times this upcoming season, with the first two meetings in NJ and the last two in NY, a reverse of last season’s order. However, there is something special about the first time these two teams meet every season.

New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes, March 9th 12:30 PM

Yes you had every right to be disappointed, but you can’t argue that the Devils weren’t overmatched when they got ‘Gentlemen Swept’ in the 2nd Round of the Playoffs last year by the Carolina Hurricanes. After finishing one point behind the ‘Canes for 1st place in the Metropolitan Division last year, there is certainly some extra incentive for the Red and Black when they go up against Coach Rob Brind’Amour’s squad.

In four matchups between the division rivals, New Jersey finished 2-1-1 (after starting 0-1-1), which included an inspiring two-goal comeback led by a strong game by young forward Dawson Mercer.

Unfortunately, the two teams will only meet three times this season rather than four or five, which should happen with rivalries like this. There will only be one game in Newark, and Devils fans will have to wait until March to see it happen. On top of that, it’s an afternoon game. Still, this is must-see TV (or go live). While this can be considered frustrating for fans of the matchup, it shouldn’t take away from the intensity we saw in the combined nine games between the Devils in Hurricanes in 2022-2023.

Another strong finish in the Metro is not guaranteed for New Jersey, but this matchup against the reigning division champs will certainly be one to watch in this upcoming ‘prove it year.’