The New Jersey Devils' 2025-26 season has been marked by an unusual and noteworthy trend, defying typical expectations and shaping their performance in unexpected ways. With 47 games played, the Devils hold a 24-21-2 record, placing them just outside a playoff spot. While the team strives for consistency, an interesting pattern has emerged, particularly regarding their performance as underdogs.

The Devils have demonstrated a surprising resilience when entering games as the underdog. They hold an 11-9 record in such contests, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion and challenge favored opponents. This statistic highlights a potential mental fortitude within the team, suggesting they thrive when expectations are lower and the pressure is on.

Conversely, the Vancouver Canucks have struggled as favorites, posting a 4-6-1 record in those games. Moreover, the total score has landed "under" in four of the Devils' most recent five games. The Devils have won 16 of their last 20 games against the Canucks.

Individually, Dougie Hamilton has been a standout performer for the Devils, especially with Luke Hughes sidelined. Hamilton has seized the opportunity to quarterback the power play unit, amassing a six-game point streak with 7 assists. His contribution is particularly valuable as the Devils faced the Vancouver Canucks, a team that has allowed an average of 4.3 goals per 60 minutes of play in their last 10 games.

Looking ahead, the Devils faced the Canucks on Friday night. The Devils are seeking their fourth straight road win. Meanwhile, the Canucks, sitting at the bottom of the Pacific Division with a 5-14-3 home record, were looking to build on their recent victory over Washington, which ended an 11-game losing streak.

Several players are currently on the injured reserve list. For the Devils, Luke Hughes, Zack MacEwen, and Stefan Noesen are sidelined. The Canucks are missing Filip Chytil, Marco Rossi, and Thatcher Demko.