The New Jersey Devils, now 1-1-0 after a 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, close their road trip in Columbus against the Blue Jackets by taking four of six possible before returning to New Jersey. The Blue Jackets also stand at 1-1-0 following a split in their first two games.
Sheldon Keefe’s prepared New Jersey in their last tilt, showing resilience in Tampa, with Jesper Bratt (2G, 1A through two games) and Luke Hughes (0G, 4A) leading the charge offensively, but the power play remains a concern, looking disjointed in the first two outings.
The Blue Jackets, powered by Kirill Marchenko’s early hat trick (3G), present a balanced attack at Nationwide Arena.
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.
READ MORE: Key Devils Forward Moved to Injured Reserve; 2024-25 AHL Leading Scorer Recalled
What to Know vs. Blue Jackets
— The Devils and Columbus face-off for the first of four matchups in 2025-26,.
—New Jersey’s penalty kill ranked second last season (82.7%), but has allowed four power-play goals in two games.
—Jack Hughes (0G, 1A) and Jesper Bratt (2G, 1A) have combined for four points; Bratt has 17 points (6G-17A) in 24 career games vs. CBJ.
— New Jersey recorded a 2-1-0 record against the Blue Jackets last season.
— Bratt and Luke Hughes led New Jersey with four points (2g-2a each) against Columbus last season.
— Timo Meier led the team with three goals (3g-0a) against Columbus in 2025-26.
2025-26 vs. Blue Jackets
12/01/25 TBD Prudential Center
12/31/25 TBD Nationwide Arena
02/03/26 TBD Prudential Center
Devils vs. Blue Jackets
All-time Record: 24-24-1-5
All-time Home Record: 13-9-1-3
All-time Road Record: 11-15-0-2
Projected Devils Lineup*
Forwards
Ondrej Palat – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer
Arseny Gritsyuk – Cody Glass – Connor Brown
Paul Cotter – Luke Glendening – Zack MacEwen
Defensemen
Luke Hughes – Brett Pesce
Dougie Hamilton – Jonas Siegenthaler
Brenden Dillon – Simon Nemec
Goaltenders
Jacob Markstrom
Jake Allen
*Lineup subject to change
Current Injuries: Stefan Noesen (Lower-body, out since Oct. 9), Johnathan Kovacevic (Lower-body, out since Oct. 9), Marc McLaughlin (Upper-body, out since Oct. 9), Seamus Casey (Lower-body, out since Oct. 9), Evgenii Dadonov (hand fracture, out since Oct. 9).
2025-26 Total Man-Games Lost: 11
Note: Brian Halonen recalled from Utica Comets on October 12; expected to meet team in Columbus as extra forward.
Projected Blue Jackets Lineup*
Forwards
Dmitri Voronkov – Sean Monahan – Kirill Marchenko
Boone Jenner – Adam Fantilli – Kent JohnsonCole Sillinger
Kent Johnson – Charlie Coyle – Mathieu Olivier
Zach Aston-Reese – Isac Lundestrom – Miles Wood
Defensemen
Zach Werenski – Dante Fabbro
Ivan Provorov – Damon Severson
Denton Mateychuk – Erik Gudbranson
Goaltenders
Elvis Merzlikins
Jet Greaves
*Lineup subject to change
Injured Reserve: Yegor Chinakhov (undisclosed), Jake Christiansen (undisclosed).
How to Watch the Devils Game—7:00 P.M. ET
Watch: MSGSN
Radio: DEVILS HOCKEY NET
Next Up
Thu., Oct. 16 Vs FLA 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Sat., Oct. 18 Vs EDM 3:30 P.M. E.T.
Tue., Oct. 21 At TOR 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Wed., Oct. 22 Vs MIN 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Fri., Oct. 24 At OTT 7:00 P.M. E.T.
