{"id":427512,"date":"2026-01-25T15:32:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T15:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/427512\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T15:32:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T15:32:13","slug":"devils-week-ahead-schedule-storylines-back-at-home-hameenahos-early-success-and-more-the-hockey-writers-new-jersey-devils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/427512\/","title":{"rendered":"Devils Week Ahead: Schedule &#038; Storylines \u2014 Back at Home, Hameenaho&#8217;s Early Success, and More &#8211; The Hockey Writers &#8211; New Jersey Devils"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The New Jersey Devils will seek to continue their current three-game win streak after sweeping all three games on their road trip through Western Canada. This upcoming week will feature a long-awaited return to the Prudential Center, as well as one last away game before the Olympic break. Here are a few storylines to follow during the week of Jan. 25 \u2013 Feb. 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Homeward Bound<\/p>\n<p>On Sunday, the Devils will wrap up their current four-game road trip with an afternoon matchup against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. So far, they\u2019ve defeated the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and the Vancouver Canucks, pulling off a string of gritty victories. The team will have a short homestand this week, facing the Winnipeg Jets and the Nashville Predators. So far, the team is 2-2-0 at the Prudential Center in January, so these games will be a major test. Can they give the fans a few much-needed home victories?<\/p>\n<p>Hameenaho Impresses Since NHL Debut<\/p>\n<p>Forward <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/docs\/lenni-hameenaho\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lenni Hameenaho<\/a> made his NHL debut against the Flames, and his impact was immediate. So far, he\u2019s been on the ice for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturalstattrick.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">33 shot attempts<\/a> and 19 scoring chances, along with 24 shots on goal. Paired with <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/docs\/cody-glass\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cody Glass<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/docs\/arseni-gritsyuk\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Arseny Gritsyuk<\/a>, he has the potential to revitalize the Devils\u2019 bottom-six forward group.<\/p>\n<p>Hameenaho even <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/hjgu6BGHZ8k?si=KhR6Y-_kb72Ogb59\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">scored his first NHL goal<\/a> against the Canucks, putting the Devils on the board 1:41 into the first period after firing a rebound past Kevin Lankinen. The Devils are now 3-0-0 with Hameenaho in the lineup, and the 21-year-old Finn has already proven himself as a depth scorer.<\/p>\n<p>Blue Line Tested Without Luke Hughes<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s been almost a week since <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/docs\/luke-hughes\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Luke Hughes<\/a> went down the tunnel against the Flames after suffering a shoulder injury. On Wednesday, he was <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/devils-place-luke-hughes-on-long-term-injured-reserve-1-21-2026\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">placed on long-term injured reserve<\/a> (LTIR) and has decided on rehab instead of undergoing surgery. He is not expected to return before the Olympic break, and since he leads all Devils\u2019 defensemen with 26 points, his absence will be tough to fill.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, the team will look toward their other offensive defensemen: <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/docs\/dougie-hamilton\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dougie Hamilton<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/docs\/simon-nemec\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Simon Nemec<\/a>. They\u2019ve been able to fill in the gaps so far, but hopefully, the rest of their defense can continue to pressure opponents and limit scoring chances against.<\/p>\n<p>Devils Schedule Jan. 25 \u2013 Feb. 1<\/p>\n<p>DateOpponentTime (ET)VenueNotesSun, Jan. 25@ Seattle Kraken3:00 PMClimate Pledge ArenaFinal matchup of four-game road tripTue, Jan. 27vs. Winnipeg Jets7:00 PMPrudential CenterLooking for retribution after 4-3 loss on Jan. 11Thurs, Jan. 29vs. Nashville Predators7:00 PMPrudential CenterFirst of two matchups this seasonSat, Jan. 31@ Ottawa Senators7:00 PMCanadian Tire CentreFinal away game before Olympic break<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.substack.com\/s\/new-jersey-devils\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"122\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Devils_Banner-1200x122.jpg\" alt=\"SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO OUR NEW JERSEY DEVILS SUBSTACK NEWSLETTER\" class=\"wp-image-1567222\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/anaheim-ducks\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Anaheim Ducks\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/boston-bruins\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Boston Bruins\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/buffalo-sabres\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Buffalo Sabres\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/calgary-flames\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Calgary Flames\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/carolina-hurricanes\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Carolina Hurricanes\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/chicago-blackhawks\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Chicago Blackhawks\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/colorado-avalanche\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Colorado Avalanche\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/columbus-blue-jackets\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Columbus Blue Jackets\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/dallas-stars\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Dallas Stars\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/detroit-red-wings\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Detroit Red Wings\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/edmonton-oilers\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Edmonton Oilers\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/florida-panthers\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Florida Panthers\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/los-angeles-kings\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Los Angeles Kings\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/montreal-canadiens\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Montreal Canadiens\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/minnesota-wild\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Minnesota Wild\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/nashville-predators\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Nashville Predators\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/new-jersey-devils\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"New Jersey Devils\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/new-york-islanders\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"New York Islanders\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/new-york-rangers\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"New York Rangers\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/ottawa-senators\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Ottawa Senators\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/philadelphia-flyers\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Philadelphia Flyers\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/pittsburgh-penguins\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Pittsburgh Penguins\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/san-jose-sharks\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"San Jose Sharks\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/seattle-kraken\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Seattle Kraken\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/st-louis-blues\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"St. Louis Blues\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/tampa-bay-lightning\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Tampa Bay Lightning\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/toronto-maple-leafs\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Toronto Maple Leafs\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/utah-mammoth\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Utah Hockey Club\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/vancouver-canucks\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Vancouve Canucks\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/vegas-golden-knights\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Vegas Golden Knights\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/washington-capitals\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Washington Capitals\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><br \/>\n<a xlink:href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/winnipeg-jets\/\" target=\"---\" xlink:title=\"Winnipeg Jets\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The New Jersey Devils will seek to continue their current three-game win streak after sweeping all three games&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":427513,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5109],"tags":[201,5,6030,1769,576,151,5185,5184,4],"class_list":{"0":"post-427512","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-jersey-devils","8":"tag-devils","9":"tag-hockey","10":"tag-lenni-hameenaho","11":"tag-luke-hughes","12":"tag-new-jersey","13":"tag-new-jersey-devils","14":"tag-newjersey","15":"tag-newjerseydevils","16":"tag-nhl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/115956466426668123","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/427512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=427512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/427512\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/427513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=427512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=427512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=427512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}