New Jersey’s sole professional sports team has hit a rough patch as of late. The New Jersey Devils of the NHL have lost five games in a row, and haven’t won since November 28th, over a week and a half ago. After starting the season off hot, winning eight out of their first nine games, they’ve since levelled out to a 16-12-1 record. What’s to blame for the drop off in performance? A combination of freak injuries, and some sloppy hockey.
Devils star center Jack Hughes suffered an injury in a freak accident during a team dinner following a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on November 12th, breaking a glass with his hand, suffering severe lacerations, and requiring surgery. As of December 12th, Hughes has started to skate again, but is not expected to play again for a month or two.
Other notable injuries this season include those of Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, Cody Glass, and more. Over the past few seasons, the Devils seemingly can’t avoid injuries, and when it matters most, have fallen short. For example, the Devils were first-round exits in the 2024-25 playoffs, losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games. The 2024-25 season proved the Devils could be an annual playoff threat, and the hot start to the 2025-26 season further proved it, but the five-game losing streak has put a hamper into their playoff hopes early on in the season.
After once leading the Metropolitan Division, the Devils have fallen to second-to-last in the Metro (7th), only ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets by one point. The Washington Capitals and the NHL’s all-time Goals leader Alex Ovechkin lead the Metropolitan Division over the Carolina Hurricanes by three points.
The Devils currently have a 39.9% chance to make the playoffs, and the margin keeps getting slimmer. Insiders say the Devils will be one of the most active teams at the trade deadline, and will undergo significant roster changes.
With a season in jeopardy, star players hurt, and a multi-game losing streak, the Devils are looking like the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL now, and as a fan of both teams, this is getting ugly for both teams. Both have their own respective issues, and each are trying their best to subdue the snafus, but to no avail as of yet.
I am still hopeful that the Devils can turn their season around, but it all lies in tonight’s game in Ottawa against the Senators. As the losing streak grows bigger and bigger, it puts more pressure on not only the players, but the front office as well. The sooner the Devils can snap their losing streak, the faster this mid-season meltdown can end. Should the Devils prevail tonight, the course of the season could very well change for the better.
