The October 24, 2025 matchup between the San Jose Sharks and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center presents an intriguing contrast between a rebuilding team fighting for identity and a contender trying to rediscover consistency. For the Sharks, this road trip represents another opportunity to measure progress under pressure, while for the Devils, it’s a chance to prove that their recent inconsistency—particularly against the spread—is merely a temporary hiccup rather than a trend. San Jose enters the game at 13–16 against the puck line, a record that reflects a team often capable of hanging around even when outmatched on paper. They have played with resilience and improved structure under their young core, led by William Eklund and Thomas Bordeleau, both of whom are showing flashes of top-six potential. Captain Logan Couture’s return from injury has provided stability and leadership to an otherwise youthful lineup, while Anthony Duclair and Fabian Zetterlund bring much-needed speed and secondary scoring. Defensively, San Jose continues to rebuild, but Mario Ferraro and Henry Thrun have emerged as reliable pieces capable of handling heavy minutes, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s veteran presence still provides steadiness to the blue line. The biggest variable for San Jose remains in net, where Mackenzie Blackwood and Kaapo Kahkonen have taken turns showing flashes of reliability but lack consistency over extended stretches. For the Sharks to stay competitive in Newark, they must play a structured, disciplined road game—limiting turnovers, maintaining tight gaps in the neutral zone, and avoiding penalties that feed the Devils’ lethal power play. New Jersey, meanwhile, enters the contest at 3–9 against the puck line in their last 12 games, a surprising slump for a team that came into the season viewed as a Stanley Cup contender. The Devils’ struggles have come less from a lack of effort and more from defensive inconsistency and an inability to put opponents away after gaining early leads. Offensively, New Jersey remains among the most dangerous teams in the league, with Jack Hughes continuing to establish himself as one of the NHL’s most electrifying players. His ability to carry the puck through traffic, create time and space, and drive possession makes the Devils’ top line nearly impossible to contain when they’re clicking. Jesper Bratt’s creativity and Nico Hischier’s defensive awareness complement Hughes perfectly, while Timo Meier’s power-forward style adds grit and net-front scoring.

The Devils’ speed game is built around quick transitions and aggressive forechecking, a style that could overwhelm San Jose if they can’t keep pace. On defense, Dougie Hamilton continues to be the offensive catalyst from the blue line, but the unit has struggled at times with positioning and puck management. Goaltending has also been an area of concern—Vitek Vanecek has delivered solid performances but lacks the elite consistency expected of a top starter, while Akira Schmid remains a developing talent still finding stability in the crease. For the Devils, the formula to win and cover is straightforward: tighten defensive structure, maintain puck possession, and take advantage of special teams. Their power play, quarterbacked by Hamilton and driven by Hughes, remains one of the league’s most dynamic, while their penalty kill has been inconsistent but capable of momentum-shifting sequences when aggressive. From a betting standpoint, the matchup presents an interesting dynamic. The Devils are clear favorites based on talent and depth, but their inability to consistently cover the puck line makes them a risky proposition for bettors seeking a dominant home performance. Conversely, the Sharks’ modest ATS record shows they often compete hard and stay within range, even in games where they are outshot and out-possessed. San Jose’s chances of keeping this one close hinge largely on goaltending and special teams execution. If they can frustrate the Devils early, kill penalties efficiently, and capitalize on counterattacks, they could turn this into a low-scoring, scrappy affair rather than the track meet New Jersey prefers. The Devils, however, hold every tangible edge—speed, skill, and offensive balance—and if their stars execute with precision, they could finally deliver the type of multi-goal victory they’ve been missing. Expect a game defined by tempo and discipline: if New Jersey dictates pace through puck control and transition, it could be a long night for San Jose, but if the Sharks can slow the rhythm and force the Devils into a grind, they might just keep this one tighter than the odds suggest.