The New Jersey Devils show they can show up in the face of adversity for the first time this season

The 2025-26 New Jersey Devils are just not a resilient team. If they go into the third period with a lead, they are going to shut the door and win. If they go into the third period with a deficit, they are more than likely going to lose. It’s pretty straightforward which Devils team you’re going to get. Things are even worse when the goalie doesn’t show up. 

Many times, the Devils' skaters are clearly frustrated when Jake Allen or Jacob Markstrom lets in a bad goal. On Saturday night, Allen let in multiple bad goals. Yet, the Devils pressed on. 

The night was led by Devils captain Nico Hischier. He had two goals and two assists on the night. Honestly, his best play of the night was probably his assist on Jack Hughes’ go-ahead goal on the power play. He found his fellow star for a one-timer to win the game with less than three minutes left. 

He was responsible for the Devils' victory on Saturday night, but it was a true team effort. Cody Glass and Arseny Gristyuk both scored, and that third line was as impactful as any we’ve seen in weeks. Even the fourth line was very effective, with multiple great attempts at the net and fewer high-danger chances against than we’ve been used to. Maxim Tsyplakov has been much better since he was placed on waivers ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline. 

The New Jersey Devils finally found an extra gear against the Los Angeles Kings

As much as we want to celebrate a great first and third period, the second period was as bad as those other two were good. The Devils gave up a power play goal early in the second, and you could feel the world turn. 

After that first goal, most Devils fans would bet the team would go into the third period with a deficit. It’s just how this Devils team has been all season. 

On Saturday night, this was a different team. This was a team that played like it believed the game wasn’t over. 

The season is down to 16 more games. The Devils are out of a playoff spot by 11 points. Both the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins have 79 points, while the Devils' regulation win over the Kings puts them at 68 points. It’s just too late to see this version of the Devils. Even with the inexcusable loss to the Calgary Flames, the Devils have been very good since the return from the Olympic break. 

If anything, seeing that this team has a different gear is important for the momentum going into the offseason.