Ranking 10 Must-See Games on New Jersey Devils 2024-25 Schedule
The New Jersey Devils are gearing up for a new season. Which games are we most looking forward to in 2024-25?
The New Jersey Devils are heading into a promising season. Missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2023-24 pushed Tom Fitzgerald to make some strategic moves this summer. The 2024-25 Devils have a new coach, a top goalie, a stronger defense, and more forward depth. This makes the return of hockey this fall even more exciting for Devils fans.
We can hardly wait to see the Devils back on the ice. Until then, here are ten must-see games on the Devils’ regular season schedule to look forward to.
10. Devils @ Islanders — UBS Arena — Nov. 9, 2024
The Devils will visit the New York Islanders on Nov. 9. Their first home game against the Islanders on Oct. 25 is the second half of a back-to-back. Knowing how the Devils played last season in the second game of back-to-backs is enough to keep us from being particularly excited for that game. The Nov. 9 game, however, is the first game of a back-to-back, making it a must-win game.
Last spring, the Devils and Islanders had some beef. On March 24, Islanders captain Anders Lee committed a knee-on-knee hit against Nico Hischier. Timo Meier came to the defense of his captain and dropped the gloves with Lee. Meier received an instigator penalty and a game misconduct. Lee was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct.
Games against teams that aren’t too far away like the Islanders, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers always provide a good opportunity for Devils fans living in New Jersey to catch an away game in person. The Devils will also play the Islanders at home the last week of the season on April 13.
9. Devils vs. Canucks — Prudential Center — March 24, 2025
When the Devils play the Vancouver Canucks, all three Hughes brothers may appear in the same game, making this The Hughes Bowl. Seeing Quinn and Jack Hughes face each other is exciting enough, but last year, Quinn faced off against Jack and Luke for the first time in an NHL game. The Devils will take on the Canucks at home on March 24, 2025.
Quinn Hughes is coming off a successful 2023-24 campaign, his first season as captain of the Canucks. He tallied 92 points in the regular season, the most of all defensemen in the NHL. Hughes won the Norris Trophy as the top defenseman. 2023-24 was Luke Hughes’ first full season in the NHL. He was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy and finished third in voting among rookies. Jack Hughes had an injury-riddled season but still managed to collect 74 points in 62 games. A stronger, healthier Jack Hughes can do some damage in 204-25.
We won’t have to wait until March, though, to see the Hughes brothers face each other. The Devils will also play the Canucks in Vancouver on Oct. 30. March 24 is the New Jersey edition of this season’s Hughes Bowl.
8. Devils @ Oilers — Rogers Place — Nov. 4, 2024
The Devils head to Edmonton to play the Oilers on Nov. 4. Later in the season, the Oilers come to New Jersey on March 13. The Oilers made a Stanley Cup Playoffs run last season, making it all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Following a heartbreaking series loss, the Oilers are hungrier than ever to get back to the Cup Final and create a different result.
Seeing Connor McDavid and Co. in action is a treat. McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins lead a team that has high expectations for 2024-25. Between the big names on the Oilers’ team and the stars on the Devils’ team, there will be some serious star power in this game. There's also a little more juice for Devils fans now that fan-favorite Adam Henrique hitched his wagon to the defending Western Conference champs.
There’s no telling how things will shake out, but it seems likely the Oilers will be among the top teams in the NHL again this season. The Devils lost to the Oilers both times they faced them last year. They will have their work cut out for them in this match-up.
7. Devils vs. Flyers — Prudential Center — Jan. 18, 2025
Fans looking forward to another round of the Battle of the Turnpike will have to wait until 2025. The first meeting of the season between the Devils and Philadelphia Flyers finally occurs on Jan. 18, 2025 at The Rock. They also play on Jan. 29 at home, as well as Jan. 27 and March 9 in Philly.
The Devils and Flyers were pretty evenly matched last season, with two of four games going to overtime and one being a one-goal game. Then there was the Stadium Series, which was a whole vibe. The Devils got off to a hot start and beat the Flyers 6-3 with a 45-save performance by Nico Daws, the most saves ever in an outdoor game. Nico Hischier and Nathan Bastian scored two goals each.
Despite being in a playoff position for much of the 2023-24 season, the Flyers ultimately missed the playoffs. The Devils finished six points behind the Flyers. With both teams missing the playoffs, they’ll each be fighting for a better 2024-25. While the Devils have made a lot of noise this summer in upgrading their roster, the Flyers have not.
6. Devils @ Utah Hockey Club — Delta Center — March 1, 2025
Utah Hockey Club will play their first season in 2024-25. March 1, 2025, will mark the Devils’ first time playing hockey in Utah. The game will take place at Delta Center, which is also home to the Utah Jazz. Utah Hockey Club is a new team, but the roster carried over from the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes.
The whole month of March is going to be a test for the Devils. They will play 16 games in 31 days, the most of any month during the season. This makes the first game in March, their match-up with Utah, critical for setting the tone for a heavy month.
When facing off against Utah Hockey, the Devils will meet up with a familiar face: John Marino, who was recently traded after two seasons in New Jersey. The Devils will host Utah Hockey at home early in the season on Oct. 14.
5. Devils vs. Panthers — Prudential Center — Jan. 14, 2025
The Devils will take on the Florida Panthers at home on Jan. 15. This will be their only home game against the Panthers. They will also play in Florida on Nov. 12 and 14. In 2023-24, the Devils won one of three games against the Panthers. Both losses were close games. How will the Devils stack up against the defending Stanley Cup champions?
Well, an offseason changes a lot, and it won’t be quite the same Panthers team. The Panthers lost several key players from their Stanley Cup-winning run. Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan Lomberg, Brandon Montour, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Kevin Stenlund, and Anthony Stolarz are among the names that exited in free agency. The Panthers still have many of their top names, including Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Aleksander Barkov.
The offseason changed a lot for the Devils, too, especially finally getting a top tier goalie. They have the pieces necessary to compete with top teams like the Panthers, but they must show they can do it. This will be a match-up to watch.
4. Devils vs. Hurricanes — Prudential Center — Nov. 21, 2024
All of the Devils’ games against the Carolina Hurricanes will take place in the first half of the 2024-25 season. Nov. 21 will be the first of two home games against the Hurricanes. They will also play on Dec. 27 at home and Oct. 15 in Raleigh.
This is a crucial game for the Devils. To be a playoff-caliber team, the Devils must be able to beat the teams in their division, especially the Hurricanes and New York Rangers, the teams that have won the Metropolitan Division in the past three years. The Devils lost all three games against the Hurricanes in 2023-24. The Devils have struggled to get past the Canes’ defense in recent years.
Ever since Erik Haula’s “Canes Suck” bracelet broke the internet, there’s been an extra spark in this division rivalry. We’re eager to see how the Devils will stack up against the Canes this season. If the Devils will make a playoff run in the next few years, the path forward may likely have a stop in North Carolina.
3. Devils vs. Maple Leafs — Prudential Center— Oct. 10, 2024
The Devils are opening their season in Prague, but once they return, their true home opener at The Rock will be on Oct. 10. The powers-that-be decided the Devils would play their home opener against new head coach Sheldon Keefe’s former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. This game made the NHL’s list of ‘Must-see NHL games for 2024-25 season’. It will be the Devils’ first opportunity to show Keefe’s old team what they can do.
This will be a star-studded matchup with Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Dougie Hamilton, Timo Meier, and Co. going up against the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares. Matthews is coming off a 69-goal regular season in 2023-24. Despite their lineup of stars and solid regular season results, the Maple Leafs have won just one playoff series since 2005.
Keefe and the Devils will look to start off their season at home on a high. With a more balanced lineup than the Maple Leafs have, the Devils organization is hoping Keefe will lead the Devils to a strong regular season followed by playoff success. The Devils and Leafs will play each other three times during the season: twice in New Jersey, including Dec. 10, and once in Toronto on Jan. 16.
2. Devils vs. Rangers — Prudential Center— Dec. 23, 2024
December 23 is a must-see rivalry match-up. Devils vs. Rangers. This is the first home game against the New York Rangers of the season, and it comes at a great time of year. The Devils are bookending Christmas by playing the Rangers before and the Carolina Hurricanes after.
Sparks always fly between these two teams. The last time they met up, the teams engaged in a line brawl as soon as the puck dropped. This was the result of the build-up from Matt Rempe’s actions. It will be intriguing to see what drama occurs between the teams this season. The Devils lost all four of their games against the Rangers last year, so this year will bring the opportunity to turn things around.
By December, we’ll have a good idea of how the Devils’ season is going. Meeting up with last season’s Metropolitan Division winners will be a test of where the Devils are at. The teams will play each other four times throughout the season, with away games on Dec. 2 and Jan. 9, and the other home game being April 5.
1. Devils @ Sabres — O2 Arena — Oct. 4, 2024
By the time the first game rolls around, we’re itching for regular-season hockey to begin. Opening Night is a must-see. It's the first game of the 2024 NHL Global Series in Prague, Czechia, against the Buffalo Sabres. This game also made the NHL’s list of ‘Must-see NHL games for the 2024-25 season’. The two teams will play each other on back-to-back days. Oct. 4 will be a home game for the Sabres, while Oct. 5 will be a home game for the Devils.
The Devils and Sabres had some drama last year, starting when New Jersey-born Connor Clifton delivered an illegal check to Nico Hischier’s head, injuring Hischier. Clifton received a match penalty and was subsequently suspended for two games.
Plus, playing the Sabres on opening night means facing former head coach Lindy Ruff right at the start of the season. The Devils will also visit Buffalo on Feb. 2. It will be interesting to see the team face off against their former coach.
There’s plenty to look forward to in the upcoming NHL season. Before long, the Devils will be back in action.
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