The New Jersey Devils had an eventful November, finishing the month with a record of 8-5-1. The team had many highlights, including a thrilling overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks, a shootout win over the Washington Capitals and a 5-0 shutout of the Buffalo Sabres.
The Devils were able to overcome numerous injuries thanks to a combination of elite goaltending, scoring depth and top players who continued to perform. In the latest episode of the series “Three Stars of the Month”. The hockey writershere are the Devils whose contributions brought the team success in November.
Third star: Timo Meier
Despite some initial inconsistencies, Timo Meier found his feet this month, with six goals and six assists. Not only does he have three multi-point matches under his belt in November, but he is also in the middle of a five-match winning streak. His power play dominance continued, with a total of three goals on the man advantage.
His strength and physicality remain an asset for the Devils. In addition to 3.2 shots on target per game, Meier also uses his size to his advantage, averaging 2.1 hits per game. But his ability to drive play is another impressive aspect of his game. Meier can move the puck along the boards and has an uncanny ability to find space in front of the net.
Timo Time delivers regardless of the time.#NJDevils | @Mikes_Great pic.twitter.com/pTHLcT3SuU
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 30, 2025
Meier’s power play goal against the Philadelphia Flyers is a perfect example. He charged into the middle of the ice and positioned himself to grab the rebound of Jesper Bratt’s first shot.
He’s even logged ice time on the Devils’ top line, and combination thereof Meier-Hischier-Bratt has been successful. Together they have a percentage of 63.64 goals (GF%) in 5-on-5 scenarios, registering 64.24 shot attempts per 60 minutes. Meier increased his point production in November and his scoring streak couldn’t have come at a better time for the Devils.
Second star: Nico Hischier
Nico Hischier continues to do it all for New Jersey. With ten points in his last five games, the Devils captain is on a good path. It started with a three-point game against the Flyers, in which two goals were scored. Hischier is also currently on a five-game point streak, averaging 2.3 shots on goal per game.
His surge in late November was a key factor in the Devils’ success, especially without Jack Hughes in the lineup. Hischier has also been more physical lately, showing a willingness to engage in puck battles. If he keeps up his current pace, he could even reach new career highs in both goals and blocked shots.
But nothing showed off his improved toughness like his performance against the Detroit Red Wings. After boarding early, Hischier returned with a vengeance. He earned a goal and an assist and almost had a hat trick from Gordie Howe after trying to fight several times during the match.
Meier had nothing but praise for his teammate postgame interview after an overtime win against the St. Louis Blues. “You can count on him every day. He comes and competes, and it’s nice to see him rewarded for the way he plays. He’s obviously extremely important to our team,” Meier said. Overall, Hischier was an incredible player throughout November, pulling the team out of a tough situation while taking on additional offensive responsibilities.
First star: Simon Nemec
There is no doubt that Simon Nemec deserves credit for his impact in November. He scored six goals and two assists in fourteen games, coming into play at crucial moments. First, he tied the game with seconds left in regulation against the New York Islanders. And even though the Devils lost the game in overtime, Nemec made sure the team walked away with one point.
In the next game, he earned a hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks, finishing with the winning goal in overtime. But Nemec was just getting started. Once again, he propelled the team to an overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues, racing down the ice before firing the puck home with the help of Hischier.
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Just a quarter through the 2025-2026 season, Nemec has nearly matched his career-high of 19 points, which he set in 2023-2024. He currently leads Devils defensemen in both goals (six) and points (15). Nemec has also had quite a bit of recent success paired with Luke Hughes. The two have already been on the ice eight times for the Devils 108 unblocked shot attempts so far this season.
Nemec’s overall impact has also led to an extended ice age. Last season he logged 14:59 of ice time per game, but this month he averaged 21:56, even spending time on the Devils’ top defensive duo. He remains a crucial part of their blue line and cements his position as the future of New Jersey’s defense.
Looking ahead to December
Heading into December, the Devils must continue to find a way to win – ideally with the grit they showed in November. They open the month with a three-game homestand before taking on tough opponents including the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Utah Mammoth.
The Devils then close out the calendar year with back-to-back games, ending with a New Year’s Eve showdown against the Columbus Blue Jackets. With the return of their star forward imminent and the team operating like a well-oiled machine, fans should be curious to see what the rest of the season has in store for the Devils.
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