Devils Face Blackhawks in Chicago Road Trip Opener

Current Standings: The Devils (37-28-7) sit third in the Metropolitan Division, seven points ahead of the NY Rangers and Islanders, despite losing three straight and four of their last five. The Blackhawks (21-41-9) have the second-fewest points in the NHL and are eliminated from playoff contention.

Team Streaks: New Jersey is looking to avoid their second four-game losing streak of the season. Chicago recently snapped a seven-game losing streak with a high-scoring 7-4 win over Philadelphia.

Key Devils Injuries: The team continues without forwards Jack Hughes (shoulder, LTIR), defenseman Dougie Hamilton (undisclosed, LTIR), and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (undisclosed, LTIR). Forward Cody Glass did not travel for the start of the trip but might rejoin later. Defenseman Simon Nemec returns to the lineup.

Hot Devils Players: Captain Nico Hischier leads with 30 goals and is on a seven-game point streak (4G, 4A). Timo Meier has been productive in March with 7 goals in 12 games. Jesper Bratt holds the franchise record with 62 assists (82 points). Defenseman Luke Hughes has stepped up offensively (16 points in last 20 games) and quarterbacks the top power-play unit.

Blackhawks to Watch: Rookie Connor Bedard leads Chicago with 56 points and scored his 20th goal recently. Ryan Donato is having a career year (25G, 28A, 53P). Ilya Mikheyev has 8 points in March.

Why This Matters: This is a must-win game for the Devils to maintain their playoff cushion in a tight Metro Division race. They need to regain consistency as the regular season winds down. For the Blackhawks, it's about player development and potentially disrupting a playoff contender's plans.

Q: When and where is the Devils vs. Blackhawks game?

A: The game is on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago. Puck drop is at 7:30 PM ET.

Q: How can I watch or listen to the game?

A: The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT. You can listen via the Devils Hockey Network.

Q: Are there any major injuries affecting the teams?

A: Yes, the Devils are significantly impacted, missing forwards Jack Hughes and defensemen Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler long-term. Forward Cody Glass is also out for the start of this road trip. For the Blackhawks, notable injuries include Kirby Dach.

Q: Who leads the Devils in scoring?

A: Jesper Bratt leads the team with 82 points (20 goals, 62 assists), while Nico Hischier leads in goals with 30.

This is a critical game for the Devils' playoff hopes; they need to secure points against lower-ranked teams like Chicago.

Expect the Devils to lean on key players like Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jesper Bratt for offensive production.

Keep an eye on defenseman Luke Hughes, who has seen increased ice time and power-play responsibility due to injuries.

While Chicago struggles overall, Connor Bedard remains a dynamic threat capable of influencing the game.

The Devils must play a more structured defensive game to avoid costly mistakes seen in recent losses.

Source 1: Devils Start Road Trip in Chicago | PREVIEW

Source 2: All About The Jersey

Source 3: Covers.com