The New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] (28-28-2) take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (29-15-12) at the PPG Paints Arena tonight. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lineups and Injuries Devils' projected lineup per NHL.com. [https://www.nhl.com/news/new-jersey-devils-pittsburgh-penguins-game-preview-february-26-2026] Timo Meier -- Nico Hischier -- Dawson Mercer Jesper Bratt -- Jack Hughes -- Connor Brown Arseny Gritsyuk -- Cody Glass -- Lenni Hameenaho Paul Cotter -- Nick Bjugstad -- Maxim Tsyplakov Brett Pesce -- Johnathan Kovacevic Jonas Siegenthaler -- Dougie Hamilton Brenden Dillon -- Simon Nemec Jacob Markstrom Jake Allen Scratched: Colton White, Luke Glendening, Evgenii Dadonov Injured: Luke Hughes (shoulder), Zack MacEwen (ACL), Stefan Noesen (knee) Penguins projected lineup per NHL.com [https://www.nhl.com/news/new-jersey-devils-pittsburgh-penguins-game-preview-february-26-2026]. Avery Hayes -- Rickard Rakell -- Bryan Rust Egor Chinakhov -- Tommy Novak -- Evgeni Malkin Anthony Mantha -- Ben Kindel -- Justin Brazeau Connor Dewar -- Blake Lizotte -- Noel Acciari Parker Wotherspoon -- Erik Karlsson Samuel Girard -- Kris Letang Ryan Shea -- Connor Clifton Arturs Silovs Stuart Skinner Scratched: Kevin Hayes, Ilya Solovyov, Ryan Graves Injured: Sidney Crosby (lower body), Jack St. Ivany (hand surgery), Caleb Jones (lower body) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Storyline to Watch The storyline to watch is that the Devils are playing another back-to-back game. The team had 15 total back-to-back games scheduled for this season. Ahead of the matchup, head coach Sheldon Keefe shared his thoughts on playing again in 48 hours. “I hope we got the dust off. We got to address some things this morning,” Keefe said. [https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/preview-2025020922]“I think there’s a potential advantage there that can maybe overcome the extra energy and juice the team you’re playing will have, and playing on home ice. That remains to be seen when the puck drops.” Devils Face Grueling 2025–26 Schedule: 15 Back-to-Backs and Late Rivalry Matchups [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d609d617-cb34-4c57-b161-1272d0b6d98a.webp] Devils Face Grueling 2025–26 Schedule: 15 Back-to-Backs and Late Rivalry Matchups The New Jersey Devils’ 2025–26 schedule was released yesterday, and the road ahead is anything but easy. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/devils-face-grueling-2025-26-schedule-15-back-to-backs-and-late-rivalry-matchups] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Player to Watch The players to watch tonight are the three Devils who returned from the Olympic Games and earned points in Wednesday’s matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt assisted Timo Meier’s goal in their first game back since the Olympic break. Meier and Hughes both had seven points at the Olympics. The puck will drop at 7 PM. Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. THN.com/free [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/44b85a38-c48b-4cda-9044-d884218643c5.jpeg] THN.com/free For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?_gl=1*rx3p21*_ga*MjYxMTY1NzQ4LjE2ODIzNzc2MTY.*_ga_ZET34ZFCGX*czE3NjQwMTI2ODUkbzIwMTYkZzEkdDE3NjQwMTQ1NjIkajYwJGwwJGgw]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
