5 Must-Watch Devils Games in 2024-25
The New Jersey Devils are about to begin their 50th season as an organization and 42nd campaign in New Jersey.
Last season, the team stumbled in the standings and missed the Stanley Cup playoffs after advancing to the second round the year prior.
After re-tooling the lineup with free agent signings Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillion while bringing aboard Sheldon Keefe and Jacob Markstrom, the Devils are poised to be a threat in the Eastern Conference.
Ultimately, every game is worth watching; here are five must-watch games on this season's slate. Which ones are you looking forward to?
5. Mar. 1, 2025 at Delta Center vs. Utah Hockey Club
Whenever the Devils traveled to Arizona to face the Coyotes, only the die-hard fans on the East Coast stayed up late to watch their team play.
However, during New Jersey's first trip to Salt Lake City, to play the former Coyotes will be a matchup worth watching.
Not only is the Utah Hockey Club an up-and-coming team with young stars like Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller, but this will be the first regular season contest between the two franchises.
Considering March 1 is right around the NHL trade deadline, this particular game will be part of an important road trip that could determine the Devils' final moves to solidify a playoff spot.
4. Nov. 1, 2024 at Scotiabank Saddledome vs. Calgary Flames
In one of the first big offseason moves, GM Tom Fitzgerald acquired former Calgary Flames netminder Markstrom.
The Swedish netminder spent four seasons with the club before relocating to Newark. This November 1 contest will mark the first time he'll return as a visitor.
Interestingly, the Devils leave Calgary and head north to Edmonton, one of the teams Markstrom has struggled against since the 2022 season.
It will be an important road trip for New Jersey to rally around their new teammate and help him persevere through these back-to-back Alberta games.
Recommended Articles
3. Dec. 2, 2024 at Madison Square Garden vs. New York Rangers
Everyone remembers the last time the Devils visited the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
By the end of the season, New Jersey was planning for the next year while New York was trying to wrap up the Presidents' Trophy.
Their first encounter in 2024-25 will occur in the season's second month, but the Devils are a revamped team and won't be interested in engaging in another line brawl.
This season's team will want to avenge a 0-4 regular season finish against their Hudson River rivals.
2. Oct. 10, 2024 at Prudential Center vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
New Jersey's new head coach, Keefe, won't have to wait long to face off against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Even though the Devils began their campaign in Prague, their first game back in North America will be against the Maple Leafs, and it is their home opener.
Considering that Keefe rose through the ranks in the Toronto system to guide the team to its only playoff win in the salary cap era, many memories are shared between the franchise and former head coach.
The two teams will meet three times in 2024-25, but none will be bigger than that opening night affair in October.
1. Oct. 4-5, 2024 in NHL Global Series in Prague, Czechia vs. Buffalo Sabres
As the NHL continues its campaign to grow hockey worldwide, taking its teams to European countries for regular-season contests, the Devils are headed to Czechia to open the 2024-25 season against the Buffalo Sabres.
Last year, these two teams had some high-scoring games, with New Jersey winning by 7-2 and 5-4 scores to take the season series 2-1-0.
Given the star power in both lineups, including Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, and Jesper Bratt, the Sabres will counter with Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, and Tage Thompson.
Thankfully for all fans, the Global Series games, sponsored by Fastenal, will be live at 1:00 pm ET and 10:00 am ET.
