The New Jersey Devils step into their regular-season finale against the New York with a blend of urgency and confidence, sitting at 41-31-7 and clinging to postseason hopes that have been years in the making. Though their recent form—just 1-4 in the last five games—raises eyebrows, the overall picture remains promising for a team that has displayed flashes of brilliance, tactical growth, and star-level performances throughout the year. The offense is anchored by Jesper Bratt, whose outstanding 21-goal, 67-assist campaign not only underscores his elite playmaking abilities but also his importance to a team that averages nearly three goals per game. Bratt’s chemistry with Jack Hughes and the speed the trio brings into the neutral zone give the Devils one of the league’s most dangerous transitional attacks. Their blue line, led by Dougie Hamilton and the emerging Luke Hughes, has done its part in keeping opponents to just 2.42 goals per game, and their ability to quickly reverse play and jump into rushes makes them a dual threat. In net, Jacob Markstrom has steadied the ship, boasting a 2.53 GAA and a respectable .899 save percentage—numbers that have improved since midseason, thanks to cleaner defensive structure and more consistent goaltending deployment. The Devils’ special teams also shine, with a power play operating at an efficient 27.5% clip and a penalty kill close to 82%, giving them an edge in the types of tight games that playoff environments tend to produce.

Playing at the Prudential Center has traditionally been a strength for New Jersey, though their 15-21 ATS home record doesn’t fully reflect the way they’ve controlled pace and possession in most matchups. What will matter most in this particular game is their ability to execute early and avoid playing from behind—a scenario that has recently exposed some cracks in defensive zone breakouts and overall composure. The Devils know they’re facing a veteran Islanders squad that will attempt to slow the game down, frustrate their top scorers, and capitalize on mistakes, so puck management and disciplined line changes will be critical. With the top six forwards all healthy and the blue line rotating effectively, head coach Lindy Ruff is expected to roll four lines with confidence, deploying depth players like Dawson Mercer and Erik Haula in key situations. The home crowd is likely to inject energy into a team that thrives on momentum swings and thrives even more when their young stars are playing loose, confident hockey. Defensively, they’ll look to suffocate New York’s zone entries and control the corners, while offensively, the focus will be on puck retrievals, quick cycles, and exploiting mismatches against the Islanders’ slower back end. If the Devils can remain sharp on the penalty kill and avoid unnecessary turnovers, they should be able to impose their pace and generate high-danger chances throughout the contest. With postseason implications in the balance and the emotional boost of facing a familiar divisional rival, New Jersey enters this finale not just looking to win—but to make a definitive statement that their long-term rebuild has truly taken the next step.