Are the New Jersey Devils (22-17-2) back? Well, the last two games have certainly gone in an encouraging direction. Their 4-1 victory on Saturday over the Utah Mammoth was their first convincing win in a long time. And the one before that against the Columbus Blue Jackets showed us a bit of fight we thought was lost on New Jersey.
However, their toughest test of late stands in front of them tonight. The Carolina Hurricanes (24-14-3) are atop the Metropolitan Division with 51 points, although have dropped their last three games, including a 5-3 loss last night to the Colorado Avalanche after they scored four goals in the third period in a comeback victory.
Certainly, both the Devils and Hurricanes come into Sunday night with heavy legs. Yet, one team is riding positive momentum, while the other trends in the opposite direction.
Alas, the Hurricanes have had the Devils’ number over the last few seasons, including the season opener this year.
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.
What to Know vs. Hurricanes
— New Jersey lost their season opener to the Hurricanes on the road at the Lenovo Center, 6-3
— Jesper Bratt (1g, 1a) and Luke Hughes (2a) lead the Devils with two points each against Carolina this season.
2025-26 vs. Hurricanes
10/09/25 L 6-3 Lenovo Center
1/4/26 7:00 P.M. ET Prudential Center
1/17/26 7:00 P.M. ET Prudential Center
3/28/26 5:00 P.M. ET Lenovo Center
Devils vs. Hurricanes
All-time Record: 52-68-12-4
All-time Home Record: 28-31-7-2
All-time Road Record: 24-37-5-2
Projected Devils Lineup*
Jack Hughes – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier – Dawson Mercer – Arseny Gritsyuk
Ondrej Palat – Cody Glass – Connor Brown
Juho Lammikko – 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: 211
Projected Hurricanes Lineup*
Forwards
Nikolaj Ehlers – Sebastian Aho – Andrei Svechnikov
Taylor Hall – Mark Jankowski – Jackson Blake
Jordan Martinook – Jordan Staal – Logan Stankoven
William Carrier – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Eric Robinson
Defensemen
Shayne Gostisbehere – Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller – Sean Walker
Alexander Nikishin – Joel Nystrom
Goaltenders
Brandon Bussi
Frederik Andersen
*Lineup subject to change
How to Watch the Devils Game — 7:00 P.M. ET
Watch: MSGSN
Radio: DEVILS HOCKEY NET
Next Up
Tue., Jan. 6 At NYI 7:30 P.M. E.T.
Thu., Jan 8 At PIT 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Sun., Jan. 11 At WPG 2:00 P.M. E.T.
Mon., Jan. 12 At MIN 8:00 P.M. E.T.
