As the New Jersey Devils prepare to host the Minnesota Wild on March 31, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, they find themselves in a crucial stretch of the NHL season, holding a 39-29-7 record and third place in the Metropolitan Division. Currently trailing the Carolina Hurricanes for second place but maintaining a solid lead over the rival New York, the Devils understand the importance of each remaining game in solidifying playoff positioning. Offensively, the Devils are led by Jesper Bratt, who has been pivotal to their scoring success, amassing an impressive 86 points this season, including 20 goals and 66 assists. Alongside Bratt, captain Nico Hischier has provided consistency and leadership, contributing significantly with 33 goals and 29 assists. However, injuries have posed substantial challenges, notably the long-term absence of star center Jack Hughes, sidelined by a shoulder injury suffered on March 2, 2025. Prior to his injury, Hughes was a crucial offensive threat with 27 goals and 43 assists in just 62 games. In Hughes’ absence, depth players such as Timo Meier have stepped up, as Meier currently holds 22 goals and 25 assists, becoming an essential offensive asset down the stretch. Defensively, the Devils face another significant loss with veteran Dougie Hamilton sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a lower-body injury sustained in early March.

Hamilton had provided not only defensive stability but also valuable offensive contributions from the blue line, registering nine goals and 31 assists. Young defenseman Luke Hughes has stepped in admirably, showcasing potential through increased ice time and responsibility, notably recording key assists in recent matchups against Ottawa and Columbus. In goal, Jacob Markstrom has anchored the team with reliable performances, boasting 23 wins and a solid goals-against average of 2.51 along with a save percentage of .900 through 44 appearances. Backup Jake Allen has also been dependable, highlighted by a stellar 45-save effort in a recent victory against Columbus, further solidifying the Devils’ confidence in their goaltending depth. Special teams play remains a critical strength for the Devils, who boast top-tier league rankings, featuring a power play efficiency rate of 28.0% (4th overall) and an impressive penalty kill rate of 82.5% (also 4th overall). This effectiveness in special teams consistently provides a competitive advantage, allowing them to capitalize on opponents’ penalties while minimizing their own vulnerabilities when shorthanded. Despite this strength, recent results have showcased inconsistency, including a strong 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 18, followed by a disappointing 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets on March 29, where early defensive lapses put them at a disadvantage. As they prepare to face the Wild, the Devils will look to leverage their home-ice advantage to regain momentum. Their ability to manage the impacts of injuries, maintain consistent special teams performance, and receive strong goaltending will be critical factors in their quest to strengthen playoff seeding during this decisive period.