The New Jersey Devils (20-15-1) will get to try again when they face the New York Islanders (19-13-4) at UBS Arena, in their last game before the holiday break.
And by try again, I mean they have a fully healthy lineup for the first time in ages, and in their first chance to gain some much-needed traction, they dropped the ball.
Jack Hughes returned to action on Sunday, got the party going by scoring the opening goal against the Buffalo Sabres, just for it to be the only tally as they lost 3-1.
Facing a division rival, the Devils are hoping to send their fans home for the holiday’s with a smile.
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.
What to Know vs. Islanders
— The Devils and Islanders meet for the second of four matchups this season, after the team suffered a 3-2 overtime loss against the Isles at Prudential Center on Nov. 10.
— The Devils and Isles meet next on Jan. 6, 2026, back at UBS Arena.
— Timo Meier and Simon Nemec were the goalscorers in the first matchup between the Metropolitan Division foes, which witnessed Nemec score with less than five seconds remaining in regulation (extra attacker situation).
— Jacob Markstrom was between the pipes for the Devils in the first matchup this season against the Isles.
— The Devils own a 4-3-0 record on the road against the Isles since UBS Arena opened in 2021-22.
2025-26 vs. Islanders
11/10/25 L 2-3 OT Prudential Center
12/23/25 7:00 P.M. ET UBS Arena
1/6/26 7:00 P.M. ET UBS Arena
2/5/26 7:00 P.M. ET Prudential Center
Devils vs. Islanders
All-time Record: 103-143-22-10
All-time Home Record: 57-64-13-5
All-time Road Record: 46-79-9-5
Projected Devils Lineup*
Forwards
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt
Arseny Gritsyuk – Jack Hughes – Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat – Cody Glass – Connor Brown
Paul Cotter – Luke Glendening – Stefan Noesen
Defensemen
Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton
Luke Hughes – Brett Pesce
Brenden Dillon – Colton White
Goaltenders
Jake Allen
Jacob Markstrom
*Lineup subject to change
Current Injuries: Zack MacEwen (lower-body, out), Evgenii Dadonov (undisclosed, out), Johnathan Kovacevic (knee, out), Marc McLaughlin (undisclosed, out).
2025-26 Total Man-Games Lost: 192
Projected Islanders Lineup*
Forwards
Anders Lee – Mathew Barzal – Simon Holmstrom
Jonathan Drouin – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Emil Heineman
Anthony Duclair – Calum Ritchie– Maxim Shabanov
Kyle MacLean – Casey Cizikas – Marc Gatcomb
Defensemen
Matthew Schaefer – Ryan Pulock
Adam Pelech – Tony DeAngelo
Marshall Warren – Scott Mayfield
Goaltenders
David Rittich
Marcus Hogberg
*Lineup subject to change
How to Watch the Devils Game — 7:00 P.M. ET
Watch: MSGSN
Radio: DEVILS HOCKEY NET
Next Up
Sat., Dec. 27 Vs WSH 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Tue., Dec. 30 At TOR 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Wed., Dec. 31 At CBJ 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Sat., Jan. 3 Vs UTA 3:00 P.M. E.T.
James is the New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on Sportsnaut and the PHWAs New … More about James Nichols