The New Jersey Devils have become a surprise story of popularity in the NHL. What was once a team that didn't get much attention, the Devils have seen more and more national popularity. P.K. Subban sings their praises every time the Devils are on ESPN, Jack Hughes is always one of the highest selling jerseys in the league, and the young stars get people to check out the Devils when they do play on ABC, ESPN, and TNT.
Speaking of those national networks, the Devils are on there often over the next few weeks. On Tuesday, March 4th, the Devils take on the Dallas Stars in the Lone Star State. That game is an ESPN+ exclusive, which also means the game is on Hulu. Less than five days later, the Devils renew their rivalry with the Philadelphia Flyers on TNT and the Max streaming service.
A week later, on Thursday, March 13th, the Devils welcome Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers to the Prudential Center. That game is another ESPN+ exclusive that's simulcast on Hulu. Their very next game is against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that is a Saturday afternoon game on ABC.
The NHL's ratings have been up since the 4 Nations Face-Off. This weekend's double header on ESPN, which includes a Capitals-Penguins matchup that reports say averaged more than 1.1 million viewers. The other game was a Red Wings-Wild matchup that averaged 944,000 viewers on Saturday night.
The Devils have a real chance here to gain fans. It literally takes one game to make a fan for life. If the Devils play well in those games, they could secure a long-time fandom. That means decades of jerseys, tickets, bobbleheads, autographs, and everything that's fun about being a fan.
The Devils shouldn't change how they play because they are on national television, but they should also understand what's at stake. Jack Hughes has been known as a player who steps up to the plate in big moments. We expect him to be very good over the next two weeks.