The New Jersey Devils return to Prudential Center on Sunday night to host the Chicago Blackhawks in a non-conference matchup that features two teams heading in opposite directions as the 2025-26 NHL season winds down. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET on Star Wars Night in Newark.
The Devils enter the contest with a 37-33-2 record, looking to bounce back after a 5-2 road loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks currently sit at the bottom of the Central Division with a 27-33-13 record (67 points) as they wrap up a four-game East Coast road trip.
Devils Seeking Consistency Down the Stretch
Despite Saturday's setback in Raleigh, the Devils have still won five of their last seven games, finding a bit more offensive consistency down the final stretch of the year. New Jersey is battling for playoff positioning in the competitive Metropolitan Division and will look to take advantage of a struggling Chicago squad on home ice.
The Devils' offense has been powered by their star center Jack Hughes, who continues to produce at an elite level. In the month of March, Jack Hughes has 20 points in 12 games for 1.67 points per game, which ranks him third in the NHL behind only Nikita Kucherov and Leon Draisaitl. On the season, Hughes currently boasts 59 points (20 goals, 39 assists) in 51 games played.
Another key contributor has been forward Timo Meier, who has been a reliable physical presence and offensive contributor down the stretch, recently surpassing the 20-goal mark for the season.
Blackhawks Looking to Snap Skid
The Blackhawks head into Sunday's matchup looking to snap a two-game skid after suffering a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the New York Rangers on Friday. Chicago has struggled defensively of late, as the team has had trouble keeping the puck out of their own net lately, surrendering 11 goals over their last two contests.
Despite their struggles, the Blackhawks have shown some positive signs on the road recently. Chicago has earned points in six of their last nine road games (4-3-2). The team's penalty kill has also been exceptional, as the Blackhawks have gone 11-for-12 (91.7%) on the penalty kill over their last four games and rank first in the NHL with a penalty kill percentage of 84.5% this season (186-for-220).
Key Players to Watch
For the Blackhawks, rookie forward Nick Lardis has been a bright spot recently. Lardis has three goals and five points in five games to lead the Blackhawks in both categories, providing a spark for a team that has leaned heavily on its young talent this season. In fact, Chicago has 45 goals this season from players age 20 or younger which is the second most among all teams behind the Sharks (65).
Veteran forward Tyler Bertuzzi will also be one to watch, as he has historically dominated against New Jersey. Bertuzzi has tallied points (8G, 9A) in 11 of his last 12 contests against New Jersey and has logged 24 points (10G, 14A) in 20 career games against them.
Season Series and Recent History
These two teams have already met once this season, with Chicago falling in overtime, 4-3, to the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 12 at United Center. That game featured a memorable performance from Devils defenseman Simon Nemec, who scored a hat trick including the overtime winner.
The Devils have dominated this matchup in recent years, as the Devils have won seven straight against the Blackhawks dating back to the 2022-23 season. New Jersey will look to extend that streak on Sunday night in front of their home crowd.
What's at Stake
For the Devils, every point matters as they fight for playoff positioning in the Metropolitan Division. A win would help them build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are playing for pride and development as they look to finish the season on a positive note and continue building chemistry with their young core.
With the Devils' high-powered offense led by Jack Hughes facing off against the Blackhawks' league-leading penalty kill, this non-conference matchup promises to deliver an intriguing stylistic clash at Prudential Center on Star Wars Night.
Sources & Original Reporting
