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Devils Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines — Homestand Concludes, Hudson River Rivalry Continues, and More – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

Devils Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines — Homestand Concludes, Hudson River Rivalry Continues, and More – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

With the home stretch of the season dwindling away, the New Jersey Devils are once again fighting to find stability. After a four-game win streak, things seemed to be looking up, but their situation quickly reverted to dire after a shutout loss to the Detroit Red Wings, followed by another loss in a must-win game against the Calgary Flames. To make matters even worse, they’re still without veteran defenseman Brett Pesce, but it appears that his return could come sooner rather than later.

This week, the Devils will continue to pursue redemption, with a total of three games slated. Here are a few storylines to follow for the week of March 15 – 22, 2026.

Homestand Concludes, Road Trip Begins

All in all, the Devils made a valiant effort during their most recent homestand. Fans enjoyed three consecutive victories to start, including a nail-biting 4-3 shootout victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite dropping two in a row last week, they were quick to get back on track, sweeping the season series against the Los Angeles Kings with a 6-4 win on Saturday.

Now, the team will wrap things up on Monday night against the Boston Bruins before embarking on a five-game road trip. During that time, they’ll face tough opponents within the Metropolitan Division, including the Washington Capitals, who currently sit six points above New Jersey in the standings.

The Devils might be out of the playoff point race, but they still have the chance to cover some ground and end the season in a slightly better position.

Facing Hudson River Rivals Once More

There’s no doubt that fans are anxiously waiting for Wednesday night, when the Devils will head into the “Battle of the Hudson” for the second time this season. The first matchup resulted in a 6-3 victory for New Jersey, complete with three power-play goals, a Jack Hughes hat trick, and an action-packed third period.

Related: 3 Positive Trends in Devils’ Late-Season Surge

This season, the New York Rangers are 9-15-6 at Madison Square Garden, while the Devils are 16-16-0 on the road. Both teams are currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, so two points are much needed on either side. The Devils will face the Rangers one last time before the end of the season, with the series finale set for March 31.

Jesper Bratt Continues to Lead the Way

Even though the Devils have struggled all season long, one player in particular has not missed a beat: Jesper Bratt. Currently leading the team in both assists (37) and points (51), he has nine points in his last seven games, including a goal and two assists against the Rangers last week. 

His offensive impact cannot be understated. On average, he’s been on the ice for 78 shot attempts, 42.48 scoring chances, and 3.48 goals every 60 minutes. So far this season, he’s found the most success alongside Nico Hischier. Together, the pair have helped contribute 46 Devils’ goals, 24 of which were scored in high-danger scenarios.

Moving forward, Bratt is expected to be one of the Devils’ top contributors. He’s a force to be reckoned with at both ends of the ice, and fans should be excited to see what he can achieve before the season is finished.

Devils Schedule March 15 — March 22

Date Opponent Time (ET) Venue Notes
Mon, March 16 vs Boston Bruins 7:00 PM Prudential Center Devils seeking redemption after 4-1 loss in December
Wed, March 18 @ New York Rangers 7:00 PM Madison Square Garden Devils look to continue momentum after 6-3 win last Saturday
Fri, March 20 @ Washington Capitals 7:00 PM Capital One Arena Third of four matchups for the season, most recently ending in a 4-3 OT Devils’ loss


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