The New Jersey Devils have not had a fun December. They’ve gone 4-8-0 in December. Not only are they losing twice as many games as they’ve won, but they can’t even get opponents to overtime to lose. Teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are lifting up their records with overtime losses.

Meanwhile, the Devils have just one all season. Instead, they either win the game, or they lose in regulation. That’s a recipe for disaster.

To be fair, the Devils have faced a really hard schedule. They haven’t had as many Metropolitan Division games yet, but they’ve already played Western Conference powerhouses like the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Anaheim Ducks twice. It’s been a very strange season for the Devils, but now that we’re at the Christmas break, it’s time to reset and reevaluate for the future.

Luckily, a new analysis of the Devils’ schedule shows they have an easier path forward than most teams. And it comes with everyone getting healthy at the same time. Jack Hughes was the big return, scoring on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres. Unfortunately, the Devils haven’t won a game with Hughes back in the lineup, going into the break at a low point.

Devils fans need all the good news they can get. The Athletic is here with said good news. Dom Luszczyszyn posted The Athletic’s analysis of every team’s schedule for the rest of the season.

Strength of schedule pic.twitter.com/fJdoSTiGeE

— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) December 24, 2025The Devils have the fourth easiest schedule in the NHL after the Christmas break

Not only do the Devils have the fourth-easiest strength of schedule in the league, the three teams ahead of them are outside the Metropolitan Division (Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers, and Vegas Golden Knights). The average projected record of the Devils remaining schedule is 89 points. Yes, that’s one of the easiest schedules in the league. 

Meanwhile, the Penguins have to face teams with an average point total projection of 93.3 points. It’s just four points, but they go a long way. 

The Devils need things to get easier. Everything has been a slog, and the team has no answers right now. Head coach Sheldon Keefe has tried multiple different line combinations. With the injuries, nothing has worked, but with players returning, the Devils are hoping for a big turnaround after the break.