Calling all New Jersey Devils fans, there’s still some time until the regular season starts but it’s never too early to start marking your calendars. With 82 games in a season, it’s easy to get the schedule mixed up from time to time. The Devils have a few exciting games going on over the course of the season. Both new and old fans are going to want to keep track of some of the upcoming games they can look forward to. (All start times are according to Eastern Standard Time)
New Jersey Devils 2024-25 Regular Season is Full of Familiar Faces and Strong Competition
Starting off Internationally
The NHL regular season as a whole is starting somewhere a little different. The Devils will be playing against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia as part of the NHL Global Series to mark the beginning of the 2024-25 season. The team will also be seeing someone they know very well behind the Sabres bench. After New Jersey fired Head Coach Lindy Ruff, he was hired by Buffalo which was also the team he had his first head coaching tenure with. It will be interesting to see how the team fares against their old head coach right off the bat.
Dates: Oct 4, 2024 at 1:00 p.m., Oct 5, 2024 10:00 a.m.
First Home Game
Lindy Ruff isn’t the only head coach that will be facing off against his old team. When the Devils head back home for their first game at the Prudential Center they’ll be playing against Sheldon Keefe‘s old team. Keefe was fired following the Toronto Maple Leafs first round exit in the playoffs after losing in game seven to the Boston Bruins. Exactly two weeks after his firing it was announced that Keefe would be the head coach of the Devils. He’s reportedly signed a four-year deal with the team. Last season, the Devils won two out of their last three meetings with the Leafs. Toronto will be looking to prove that they can win games without Keefe while New Jersey will want to prove they can win games in general.
Date: Oct 10, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
What’s Better Than Two Hughes Brothers? Three
The Devils vs. Vancouver Canucks games are the only matchup that features all three Hughes brothers. Quinn Hughes was drafted by the Canucks in 2018 and was named captain in 2023. He was followed by Jack Hughes who went first overall in 2019. Lastly, Luke Hughes was drafted by the Devils in 2021. The Hughes brothers made NHL history by being the first American family to have all three siblings picked in the first round. They’ll only be seeing each other twice during the regular season but who’s to say they won’t find themselves playing against each other in the Stanley Cup Final one day.
Dates: Oct 30, 2024 at 10:30 p.m. and March 24, 2025 7:30 p.m.
Devils and Rangers
The rivalry that dates back years and years is making its return for three games during the Devils regular season. The Devils will take a drive down to Madison Square Garden twice. The New York Rangers will be visiting the Prudential Center once in between. Tensions have always run high between these teams especially following New York’s first round loss to New Jersey in 2023. Who knows what fans can expect. Maybe there’ll be another full line brawl. Games between the Devils and Rangers have always been a bit unpredictable and are always a treat to watch.
Dates: Dec 2, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., Dec 23, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. and Jan 9, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Ending (and starting) the Year in Style
A few days after their game against the Rangers, the Devils will find themselves in California. On New Year’s Eve they’ll play a game against the Anaheim Ducks. One of the most notable times the Devils played the Ducks was when they beat them in the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals. Now, a matchup between these teams is a treat for anyone who’s a fan of the 2019 draft class. Jack Hughes and former USNTPD teammate Trevor Zegras will get to play against each other. Both Hughes and Zegras were drafted within the top 10 so it’s a treat to see how their respective game has progressed. The team is back at it on New Year’s Day. They’ll be playing against the Los Angeles Kings for the second and final time all season. They’ll pay a visit to the Sharks and Kraken before heading back to the East Coast.
Ducks: Dec 13, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. Kings: Jan 1, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Last Game Before Four Nations Face-Off
This season, what’s usually the All-Star Game break is being replaced by the Four Nations Face-Off. USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, Swedish Ice Hockey and the Finnish Ice Hockey Association are expected to announce the rest of their rosters in late November. As of right now, no Devils are listed to represent any of the countries. Before the break, the Devils will be heading to Montreal in an early afternoon matchup against the Canadiens. This game will also be the last time these two teams play against each other during the regular season.
Feb 8, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
Ending Things at Home
The Devils regular season will come to a close with a game against the Detroit Red Wings. Last year, their home opener was against the Red Wings, it’s almost poetic to end the upcoming season against them. Devils fans will be hoping that by the time this game comes around it won’t be the last time they get to play on home ice. Fans will want the Devils regular season to end with a bang and hopefully a spot in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Apr 16, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Main Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
