On Wednesday afternoon, the NHL released the 2025-26 regular-season schedule.
The New Jersey Devils will kick things off witha three-gameroad trip beginning on Thursday, Oct. 9, against the Carolina Hurricanes. The club will also visit the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
There is a benefit to beginning the season on the road away from Newark, as it presents an opportunity for new additions Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov, as well as Arseni Gritsyuk if he makes the roster, to spend time with their new teammates and build chemistry and camaraderie. There are also fewer distractions from family and friends as the group spends more time together on the road.
The club's first home game at Prudential Center will take place exactly three months from now on Thursday, Oct. 16, against the defending champions, the Florida Panthers. New Jersey earned a 2-0-1 record against Florida last season, and outscored Florida 11-5 in those games.
Key Dates
- New Jersey will host the New York Rangers at Prudential Center on March 7.
- Head coach Sheldon Keefe will get his first opportunity to earn a win against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, on Oct. 21 at Scotiabank Arena.
- Former Devil Curtis Lazar will return to Prudential Center with the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 18.
- Ex-Devils forward Erik Haula and the Nashville Predators will fly to Newark for a Jan. 29 game.
- On Jan. 3, 2026, the Devils will host the Utah Mammoth. It will be John Marino's first game back at Prudential Center since being traded on June 29, 2024. It marks the second time he will face his former team.
The NHL season will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 7, with a tripleheader on ESPN, beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET, as the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the Panthers, face the Blackhawks at Amerant Bank Arena. At 8:00 p.m. ET, the Pittsburgh Penguins will visit MSG and the Rangers. The night will conclude with the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Los Angeles Kings at 10:30 p.m. ET.
The entire Devils' 2025-26 schedule can be viewed here.
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