Finding the Missing Piece: What Is Holding the Devils Back?
Through the first stretch of the 2025-26 season, the New Jersey Devils have proven that they can compete with the league’s best. Their offensive firepower, led by Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Cody Glass, has kept them in nearly every game. Their energy remains high even after tough losses; they will come back even harder in the next game. However, the Devils struggle to maintain a full 60 minutes of consistent hockey. Minor breakdowns at key moments continue to cost them points, showing that although they have the skill to win, execution is what’s holding them back.
New Jersey’s biggest defensive issue remains their structure under pressure. In several of their recent games, opponents have capitalized on turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive miscommunications that lead to odd-man rushes. Even with players like Brenden Dillon anchoring the blue line and Luke Hughes being a significant force on the ice, the team often struggles to clear pucks efficiently or protect their net during pivotal moments of the game. Jacob Markström and Jake Allen have been reliable in the net, but the defense can’t solely depend on their goaltenders to bail them out. It’s critical for them to have stronger positioning, cleaner breakouts, and a better focus on puck management in order to become more consistent.
Offensively, the Devils are dangerous, but they’ve been streaky. When the top line is clicking, New Jersey looks nearly unstoppable. When they’re not, they tend to hesitate with shots, and they can’t find the back of the net. There have been instances where the Devils dominate the game, but they can’t score enough goals and end up going into overtime or shootouts. We saw this recently against the Penguins, Islanders, and Canadiens. A more aggressive attack could turn those near-misses into goals and help the Devils develop lasting offensive momentum.
The good news? The pieces are all there. New Jersey isn’t missing talent; they just need to polish their game. If they can tighten up their defensive play, find more balance on the forward lines, and figure out how to close out tight games in their favor, they’ll prove that they are a team built to make history. Once the Devils find that stability, the rest of the league will have no choice but to take notice.
