There’s no doubt about this one. The New Jersey Devils (20-17-2) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (17-15-6) are heading towards a collision course.
The last meeting between the two sides was quite physical. On ice actions led to off-ice dialogue, and the tension between division rivals has only risen.
The Devils are on a four-game slide, whereas the Jackets have won three in a row.
Sparks will certainly fly in this one.
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.
What to Know vs. Blue Jackets
— The Devils and Columbus face-off for the third of four matchups this season. The two foes meet next on Feb. 3, at the Rock.
— Jersey’s team defeated the Blue Jackets in Columbus back on Oct. 13, after a 3-2 victory. The Devils then suffered a 5-3 loss against the Jackets on Dec. 1.
— Dawson Mercer (2g-1a), Nico Hischier (1g-2a) and Jesper Bratt (0g-3a) lead the Devils with three points against Columbus this season.
— The Devils and Blue Jackets combined for 74 penalty minutes in their last meeting, which included eight fighting majors between both teams, and a game misconduct.
2025-26 vs. Blue Jackets
10/13/25 W 3-2 Nationwide Arena
12/1/25 L 5-3 Prudential Center
12/31/25 7:00 P.M. ET Nationwide Arena
2/3/26 7:00 P.M. ET Prudential Center
Devils vs. Blue Jackets
All-time Record: 69-56-12
All-time Home Record: 39-24-6
All-time Road Record: 30-32-6
Projected Devils Lineup*
Projected Devils Lineup*Forwards
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt
Arseny Gritsyuk – Cody Glass – Connor Brown
Paul Cotter – Luke Glendening – Stefan Noesen
Defensemen
Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton
Luke Hughes – Brett Pesce
Brenden Dillon – Colton White
Goaltenders
Jake Allen
Jacob Markstrom
*Lineup subject to change
Current Injuries: Simon Nemec (undisclosed), Evgenii Dadonov (upper body), Johnathan Kovacevic (knee), Marc McLaughlin (undisclosed), Zack MacEwen (upper body).
2025-26 Total Man-Games Lost: 205
Projected Blue Jackets Lineup*
Forwards
Mason Marchmant – Adam Fantilli – Kirill Marchenko
Dmitri Voronkov – Cole Sillinger – Miles Wood
Boone Jenner – Charlie Coyle – Mathieu Olivier
Zach Aston-Reese – Brendan Gaunce – Kent Johnson
Defensemen
Ivan Provorov – Dante Fabbro
Denton Mateychuk – Damon Severson
Jake Christiansen – Brendan Smith
Goaltenders
Elvis Merzlikins
Jet Greaves
*Lineup subject to change
How to Watch the Devils Game — 7:00 P.M. ET
Watch: MSGSN
Radio: DEVILS HOCKEY NET
Next Up
Sat., Jan. 3 Vs UTA 3:00 P.M. E.T.
Sun., Jan. 4 Vs CAR 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Tue., Jan. 6 At NYI 7:30 P.M. E.T.
Thu., Jan. 8 At PITT 7:00 P.M. E.T.
