The New Jersey Devils are ten games into the top of the NHL, with a 16-point start and an 8-2-0 record. They are a perfect 5-0 on home ice and lead the Metropolitan Division, establishing themselves as one of the first majors of the 2025-2026 season. This week, the red-hot Devils head west and embark on a challenging road trip that could serve as an early-season litmus test.
The Devils begin a three-game-in-four-night series in San Jose on Wednesday. They will next face tough games in Los Angeles and Anaheim before returning home to take on the Montreal Canadiens on November 6.
Although New Jersey was humbled by an 8-4 loss to Colorado on Tuesday – its worst defeat yet – the club’s performances remain among the league’s best, and its Stanley Cup odds reflect a growing respect among the players. sweepstakes casinos available in florida and online sports books. The Devils, who started the season at +1300 to win it all, have been trimmed to +1200 after their torrid start.
Elite Start creates a hype
New Jersey’s record ties the best 10-game start in franchise history, tied with marks from 1993-94 and 2017-18. An eight-game winning streak, sandwiched between losses in the opener and the most recent game, has propelled the Devils to the upper reaches of both the standings and the headlines. Their 16 points are tied for the NHL lead at the end of the month.
Jack Hughes, returning from last season’s star turn, leads the offense with nine goals and 14 points. He is tied for the league lead in goals scored, scoring eight points (six goals, two assists) in his last five games, including a hat trick and a current three-game scoring streak. Jesper Bratt provided a complementary punch with four goals and twelve points, while captain Nico Hischier has ten points in ten games.
Dougie Hamilton’s play on the blue line has also stood out, especially recently. Hamilton has three goals and four points in his last three games, highlighted by a two-goal, three-point breakout against the Sharks on October 24. However, the Devils will be tested defensively after losing Brett Pesce to an upper-body injury on Sunday. Rookie Seamus Casey was recalled and made his season debut in Tuesday’s loss to Denver – a baptism of fire against one of the best teams in the league.
Stingy goaltending gets you off to a fast start
Goaltending stability, a major question mark in recent seasons, has become a surprising strength for New Jersey. Jake Allen, brought in to help solidify the crease, was outstanding, posting a perfect 5-0 record to start his Devils career. His goals-against average is 1.93, and his save percentage of 0.923 is among the best in the league from the start.
Those numbers will be crucial as the road trip intensifies. Running into the Kings and Ducks soon after San Jose will highlight the team’s depth and staying power. Colorado’s eight-goal surrender was an outlier — New Jersey has otherwise effectively limited opponents — but it’s a stark reminder of the defensive effort required to compete in the NHL’s upper echelon.
Devils aim for a seasonal campaign against sharks
New Jersey’s stop in San Jose is also a chance for a sweep. The Devils routed the Sharks 3-1 less than a week ago in Newark, driving Dougie Hamilton’s power play to victory. They have now defeated San Jose in recent meetings and will look to keep it going on Wednesday at the SAP Center.
The Sharks, deep in their franchise rebuild, started the season slowly at 0-4-2, but won two of their last three. Their core is young but promising, led by rookie forward Macklin Celebrini (First overall pick of 2024), Michael Misa (second overall in 2025) and Will Smith (fourth overall in 2023). Sam Dickinson (11th overall, 2024) anchors the blueline, while Yaroslva Askarov, acquired from Nashville, has just taken over.
Celebrini has been a revelation, going on a five-point streak with 11 points (five goals, six assists), delivering a hat trick and a pair of multi-point nights. For a team in transition, his immediate impact offers a rare bright spot amid growing pains.
Next-Man-Up in defense
The Devils’ blueline is thinner without Brett Pesce, who caused a shutdown just minutes before his injury, but there is optimism in what Seamus Casey could offer. All eyes will be on how the rookie adapts to the NHL grind and whether the Devils’ structure can protect young defensemen from opponent knocks down the road.
The chemistry between Hughes, Bratt and Hischier remains the driving force of the team. The Devils generate offense with pace, transitions and an aggressive forecheck – traits that have overwhelmed smaller opponents and challenged more veteran-laden groups. The power play has struck at key moments, made possible by Hamilton’s shot and Hughes’ deft positioning.
Responding to adversity
Tuesday’s 8-4 loss at Colorado ended an eight-game winning streak and was a shock to a group used to dictating play. The Avalanche have exposed some cracks, but New Jersey’s response in California will reveal how well the club can correct course. A rebound performance against San Jose would get the trip – and the month of November – off to a good start.
The four-game swing, packed into less than a week, comes as an early setback. It offers a glimpse into the team’s resilience and depth and whether their leading start in the league is a harbinger of a real contender.
Looking ahead
After the swing in California, New Jersey returns home for a Nov. 6 game against the Montreal Canadiens. With a favorable schedule and momentum to build, the Devils are looking to solidify their place at the top of the Metropolitan – and justify oddsmakers’ early belief.
New Jersey is on track to be more than a pleasant October surprise with their current run. Their west coast swing will show if this team is ready for the long haul. If the first ten games are any indication, the Devils have the pieces and the determination to chase history – and perhaps the Cup itself – in 2026.
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