Ranking 10 Most Exciting Games on New Jersey Devils Schedule
By Ethan Fink
With the 2023-24 season just days away, excitement is reaching a whole new level within the New Jersey Devils’ organization. The stage is set for an 82-game odyssey, a quest to reclaim a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In order, here are 10 games that Devils fans should be looking forward to most this season.
10. Devils vs. Golden Knights — Prudential Center — Jan. 24, 2024
A chance to take down the defending champs is a test that teams always love.
Last season, the Devils were able to grind out a 1-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 28. That gutsy effort against the reigning Cup champs catalyzed the ensuing 12 consecutive wins, propelling the Devils on their journey to the best regular season in franchise history.
A similar spark will have to wait a little longer this time around, with Vegas coming to town on Jan. 22, a mere two days before the anniversary of their previous meeting at Prudential Center. That was the game Jack Hughes sent an otherworldly pass to Dougie Hamilton, who emphatically blasted home his second straight OT winner.
9. Devils vs. Blue Jackets — Prudential Center — Nov. 24, 2023
After getting edged out by Columbus in the Johnny Gaudreau free agency sweepstakes last summer, the Devils had no sympathy for a struggling Blue Jackets team. NJD outscored CBJ 18-4 in their season series, which saw the Devils take all three games in regulation.
Whether this trend continues, November 24 will be a special afternoon at the Rock. The spotlight will be on long-time Devil Damon Severson, who will return to New Jersey for the first time as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Severson and the Devils parted ways on June 9 in a rare sign-and-trade deal that sent the defenseman to Columbus with an eight-year extension. In return, the Blue Jackets sent the Devils a 2023 third-round draft pick for his services, which was ultimately flipped with Yegor Sharangovich in the Tyler Toffoli trade.
Without a doubt, there will be a video tribute followed by a warm ovation from fans and former teammates that will reflect the nine seasons and 647 games Severson played in New Jersey.
8. Devils @ Sharks — SAP Center — Feb. 27, 2024
On Feb. 26, 2023, Timo Meier received phone calls from both Devils’ General Manager Tom Fitzgerald and fellow Swiss native Nico Hischier, welcoming him to New Jersey following a blockbuster trade with the San Jose Sharks.
“I can’t explain how excited he is to be a part of our organization,” Tom Fitzgerald told Amanda Stein after that phone call. “Giddy thrilled, like I was.”
Exactly a year and one day after those conversations, Meier will have the opportunity to take the ice back at the ‘Shark Tank,’ where he spent seven seasons wearing teal. This time, he’ll be coming out of the visiting locker room repping the Devils crest, fresh off an eight-year extension with the team on June 28.
Devils fans can look forward to the possibility of seeing a couple of familiar faces, too. Mackenzie Blackwood, whose RFA rights were traded to the Sharks a day before the Meier extension, could potentially start in net against his former team. Fabian Zetterlund, who was sent to San Jose as part of the Meier trade, will hope to be reuniting with some old friends as he continues to work towards an everyday NHL role with the Sharks.
7. Devils @ Blackhawks — United Center — Nov. 5, 2023
The focal point of discussion in the hockey world throughout the 2023 off-season was Connor Bedard joining the Chicago Blackhawks as the first-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old prodigy is possibly the most highly touted prospect in NHL history. A generational talent that experts have deemed exceptional since he was just 14 years old. Bedard is expected to be implemented as an immediate top-six forward for Chicago, so it’s likely that the Devils will be in town for Bedard’s 11th career NHL game.
In addition to their jackpot lottery win to secure the first overall pick, the Blackhawks also acquired former Devil Taylor Hall in a trade with Boston. The 2018 Hart Trophy winner certainly adds another storyline to this Devils-Blackhawks matchup, as the man who was once the face of the Devils franchise will be an integral part of the rebuilding Blackhawks offense.
We may even see Hall and Bedard paired on the Hawks’ top line when the puck drops in the Windy City on November 5th.
6. Devils @ Hurricanes — PNC Arena — Jan. 25, 2024
The Devils’ magical 2022-23 season was put to sleep by the Carolina Hurricanes on May 11, when Jesper Fast tipped an overtime winner past Akira Schmid to secure a 4-1 series victory for Carolina. Eight months later, the Devils will fly back to Raleigh with a chip on their shoulder for their first bout with the Canes since that heartbreaking final moment of the year.
Considering the one-point gap between the two teams at the top of the Metropolitan division last season, this could be a critical game for the standings as well.