The New Jersey Devils are gearing up for what promises to be a challenging 2025-26 NHL season. With a mix of divisional rivalries, tough road stretches, and a league-high number of back-to-back games, the Devils will need to be at their best to secure a playoff spot and make a deep run. Several factors contribute to the difficulty of their upcoming campaign.

Early Season Challenges:

The Devils face a demanding start to the season, commencing with a three-game road trip against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Carolina Hurricanes have been a thorn in the side of the Devils, eliminating them in the last two playoff series since 2022. Following the road trip, the Devils will return to Prudential Center for their home opener against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, followed by a game against the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. This initial stretch against top-tier teams will test the Devils' readiness and set the tone for the rest of the season.

Metropolitan Division Battles:

As always, the Devils will face a series of tough matchups against their Metropolitan Division rivals. The NHL scheduling matrix dictates that the Devils will play 26 games against Metropolitan Division opponents. This includes four games each against the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals. Games against the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers are always intense, high-stakes affairs. Notably, the Devils have only three games scheduled against the Rangers, with just one at home, all crammed into March.

Brutal Back-to-Backs:

The New Jersey Devils are tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the most back-to-back games in the league this season, with a total of 15. These back-to-back sets will test the team's depth, conditioning, and ability to perform consistently under pressure. Last season, the Devils struggled in the second game of back-to-backs, posting a 3-9 record. Improvement in these situations will be crucial for a successful season.

Key Teams to Watch:

• Carolina Hurricanes: The Hurricanes have consistently been a difficult opponent for the Devils, especially in the playoffs. Their season opener against Carolina will be a significant test.
• Florida Panthers: Facing the defending Stanley Cup champions in their home opener will be a major challenge for the Devils.
• Edmonton Oilers: A game against Connor McDavid and the high-flying Oilers will be a thrilling and challenging contest.
• New York Rangers: Games against their cross-river rivals are always intense and closely contested. The limited number of games against the Rangers this season adds extra importance to each matchup.
• Tampa Bay Lightning: The Lightning, with their experienced core, always pose a threat.
• Toronto Maple Leafs: After not beating his former team last season, Sheldon Keefe gets another crack at Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs when New Jersey flies north of the border on October 21st.

Olympic Break and Late-Season Push:

The NHL regular-season schedule pauses from February 6 to February 22 for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy. Coming out of the break, the Devils will need to quickly regain momentum for the final stretch of the season. The team's regular-season finale is on April 14, at Boston, while the Devils' final home game will be on Sunday, April 12, against Ottawa.

With a challenging schedule ahead, the New Jersey Devils will need strong performances from their key players, consistent goaltending, and tactical adjustments to overcome their toughest opponents in the 2025-26 season.