The last time the New Jersey Devils faced the New York Islanders, they lost 9-0 – their worst defeat in more than 40 years. With their playoff hopes quickly dwindling, a rebound win tonight would be the only way to have another chance.
But once again, when they had to take the opportunity, they couldn’t reach the finish line, Down 3-1 in regulation.
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Trying to win low-scoring games has failed more often than not
Let’s be honest: fans don’t care if their team plays “boring” hockey if they win. But in the Devils’ case, the first few periods up until Nico Hischier’s equalizing goal were a microcosm of what things have been like lately; it feels like every goal is an extreme grind.
While a common response to that would be: Well, it’s the National Hockey League! They are a team full of talent that tries to win all their games by playing suffocating defense. That’s not exactly a recipe for success.
The Devils’ 89 goals in 5v5 are last in the league. Due to their constant lack of finishing, their method of winning low-scoring matches in short bursts has worked, but not nearly as long or as often as they would have hoped.
Tonight they scored 1.17 goals below expected at 5v5, bringing their season total to 32.17 below expected. That would swing their goal difference from minus-29 to plus-3… which still might not put them in a playoff position, but would put them firmly in the mix. (via natural statistical trick)
“We played a good hockey game. You have to score to be rewarded for that, in terms of points,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “After two periods we gave up seven shots [and] were alone with their goalkeeper four times, without any goals to be seen.’
That’s something the Devils have been hearing all season. Their fans are (rightly) fed up.
Reality is starting to sink in, despite positive progress on the defensive front
Considering their uphill battle, even an overtime win likely wouldn’t have been enough for the Devils. They needed a regulation win, but instead fell within regulation for the fifth time in six games. Although the harsh reality for some fans set in weeks ago, the reality for the players and technical staff is now starting to sink in.
As it stands right now, they only have a 2.77% chance of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. according to Moneypuck. They have a 73% better chance of winning the Draft Lottery than they do of making the postseason (4.8%)…and remember, they started 8-1-0. Yes.
“We understand that during these three weeks we will have a lot of time to think about a lot of things. And yes, we have to make a great run,” goalkeeper Jake Allen said.
“It sucks because you don’t get the points. We need the points. We’ve needed points for a long time,” Keefe said. “That’s what you’re here for, to win the damn game. But as a coach, I leave and I get in for a break, and you’re not going to tell me how we played this last little break: seven shots.” [against] tonight, five shots [against last game] halfway through that the recipe is not there. The boys buy in.”
Keefe isn’t wrong: as of January 19, their 2.19 xGA/60 at 5v5 is the sixth-best mark in the league. There has been a major defensive improvement. But if they can’t finish consistently, it doesn’t really matter. And even if they are somehow blessed with the scoring touch again, it will likely be too little, too late.
In the remaining 25 games, the Devils can’t lose more than roughly six before entering the playoffs.
7 Devils went to Milan
Seven Devils players are heading to the Milan Olympics and were honored with a pre-game ceremony:
Nico Hischier (Switzerland), Jonas Siegenthaler (Switzerland), Timo Meier (Switzerland), Jesper Bratt (Sweden), Jacob Markstrom (Sweden), Jack Hughes (USA) and Simon Nemec (Slovakia) are all going there.
The #NJDevils just had a pre-game ceremony honoring their Olympians. pic.twitter.com/5XEUIb4bgo
— Daniel Amoia (@daniel_amoia) February 6, 2026
According to a team source, all three Swiss players (Hischier, Siegenthaler and Meier) will head directly to Milan for the opening ceremony, which begins tomorrow (February 6) at 2:00 PM EST – approximately 16 hours after the final horn in Newark.
It will be a good time for Devils fans to forget the woes of the 2025-2026 season and indulge in some best-on-best hockey, which hasn’t happened at the Olympics in 12 (!!) years.
Come on
The Devils – now 28-27-2 – return from the Olympic break on Wednesday. February 25 when they take on Lindy Ruff and the Buffalo Sabers at The Rock (7:00 PM EST).
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