The New Jersey Devils‘ embarrassing 9-0 loss to the New York Islanders on Jan. 6, which was viewed by a national audience, comes at a bad time for a team currently out of the playoff picture in the NHL’s Eastern Conference as scrutiny builds around the organization.
The result also lines up with one of the worst results for the Devils in franchise history.
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Here’s a look at where the lopsided loss ranks among the worst defeats in more than four decades for the franchise:
9-0 loss to Islanders ties Devils’ worst shutout defeat
Jan. 6, 2026; Elmont, New York: New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) celebrates his goal against the New Jersey Devils with New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) during the first period at UBS Arena.
The Devils’ 9-0 loss to the Islanders on Jan. 6 is tied for the worst shutout loss for the franchise since its move to New Jersey in 1983. The only other time the team surrendered nine goals without scoring themselves since becoming the Devils was a 9-0 loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 31, 1986.
‘Mickey Mouse’ loss to Wayne Gretzky, Oilers
The Devils’ 9-0 loss to the Islanders on Jan. 6 also ties for the largest margin of defeat in Devils history, along with the infamous 13-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 19, 1983. Famously, Oilers great Wayne Gretzky referred to the Devils as a “Mickey Mouse organization” following the game.
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Worst shutout losses as Kansas City Scouts
Remarkably, this is the 24th time in franchise history that the Devils have a shutout loss of at least 6-0. Half of those include the franchise’s previous identities as the Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Scouts. A dozen of the results came during the eight seasons for the franchise before becoming the Devils, but also include the worst shutout losses for the franchise.
The Kansas City Scouts suffered 10-0 losses to the Philadelphia Flyers in consecutive seasons on Dec. 1, 1974 and Nov. 2, 1975.
Worst shutout losses as Colorado Rockies
In 1981 as the Colorado Rockies, the team suffered two of its worst results in a span of five days. The Rockies lost a 9-0 game at home to the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 11, 1981 and followed it with a 10-0 loss at Chicago on Nov. 15. The Rockies are also responsible for the worst shutout loss in team history, an 11-0 defeat at Calgary on April 1, 1982. The franchise was sold less than two months later.
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Keeping things strictly to the Devils’ era of the franchise, a lopsided loss like this has been rare for the team since coming to New Jersey. Of the 12 games in which the Devils have been shut out and allowed at least six goals, only two have happened in this century: the Jan. 6 loss to the Islanders and a 6-0 loss at Pittsburgh on Nov. 27, 2001.
Devils’ playoff chances this season
The silver lining to 9-0 loss, for what it’s worth, is that it is not a death sentence for New Jersey’s playoff chances.
Entering Jan. 7 games, the Devils are three points out of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and five points behind one of the top three spots in the Metropolitan Division. In five other instances of the Devils being shut out by at least six goals, the team has reached the postseason.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Devils’ 9-0 loss to Islanders and other historic franchise blowouts