Despite the underperformance this season, the New Jersey Devils took the ice on Sunday evening with a little extra meaning — not only was it their final home game of 2025-26, but it was the last time they’d don their iconic “Jersey Jerseys”.
In front of a packed barn, they gave their fans (and the jersey) quite the send-off: a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory and Nico Daws’ first win back in the NHL after 172 days away.
Related: Devils’ Stars & Coach React to Tom Fitzgerald’s Departure
Devils Overcome Disallowed Goals With Help From Fans
In the first period, Dawson Mercer scored. It was overturned because Timo Meier was about half an inch offside ~15-20 seconds prior.
In the third period, with the Devils down 3-2, Connor Brown made a beautiful deflection that appeared to go in. The ref signaled goal and the Devils came together to celebrate. It never fully crossed the line — instead hitting the underside of the crossbar.
Moments later, a puck came loose after a scramble and Jack Hughes deposited it into the gaping cage. Just one problem — a whistle blew because the ref believed the puck was fully covered by James Reimer, even though it never was. Thus, no goal.
The last time the Devils had three ‘goals that weren’t’ in a game was Nov. 23, 2022, ironically when Sheldon Keefe’s Toronto Maple Leafs came into town. The Devils had three disallowed goals that game which resulted in their fans throwing stuff on the ice, in what has now been unofficially dubbed the “Chicken Tender Game”.
While pelting the ice with objects and putting players and officials in harm’s way is not okay, there’s an element there that shows just how much Devils fans care and want their team to win.
The Devils stuck with it and eventually tied it up, before captain Nico Hischier won it in overtime. Keefe, now on the other side of it, gave immense love to the fans postgame:
“I mean, that was an incredible performance by our fans tonight. Given where we’re at and how the season has gone, for them to be as engaged as they were in the game here today, I think that helped get our guys to another level. I’m thrilled, of course, that the players delivered for them.”
However, it wasn’t all sunshine from Keefe — and rightfully so: “The fans’ passion in that third period shows just how and why this is so important that we get this right and [become] a consistent playoff team,” he continued. “So for as much as I’m thrilled for how it worked out tonight, I’m more so disappointed in where we’re at [and that] we are not going to have more home games here in the playoffs.”
Jack Hughes Finally Reaches Coveted Milestone
Jack Hughes started his career with 51 points in 117 games. That meant to become a career point-per-game player and be discussed amongst some of the league’s best, he’d have to score 66 points over a point-per-game pace.
After many seasons of dominance, with some unfortunate injuries and a Golden Goal sandwiched in between, Jack reached that mark tonight with two assists — the latter on Hischier’s winner. He now has 428 points (168G, 260A) in 428 games.
THE CAPTAIN CALLS GAME 😈
Nico Hischier scores the Subway Canada OT winner for the Devils. pic.twitter.com/FOur9eRc9R
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 13, 2026
“I’m not surprised,” said Hischier, who scored the overtime winner, with a smile postgame. “I mean, if you look at the skillset, he can do everything. He can score. He can make plays so fast (…) I’m not surprised that he’s a point-per-game player, because that’s what he is.”
Since making his debut, Jack joins just 21 other NHL players who have maintained a point-per-game or better pace (min. 400 games). And since 2022-23, his 1.22 points per game is sixth behind only Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl and David Pastrnak.
Bye-Bye, Jersey Jersey
As the Devils left the ice one last time and headed down their tunnel, a piece of Devils (and New Jersey) history went with them in the form of their alternate jerseys that won’t be returning. With their win tonight, they moved to 24-27-3 when wearing the jersey.
Earlier in the game, the Devils played a farewell video for it, while fans turned on their flashlights and sang along to “Good Riddance” by Green Day.
Fans sing along to “Good Riddance” by Green Day as they give the #NJDevils Jersey Jersey a farewell: pic.twitter.com/oGBg8F2g4c
— Daniel Amoia (@daniel_amoia) April 12, 2026
“It’s a cool looking jersey,” said Keefe. “Just the fact that it pays homage to Jersey, the fact that we’re Jersey’s team, I think that’s pretty cool. The fans responded unbelievably tonight and I’m glad they come away with a win and hopefully good memories of that jersey.”
In the same sentiment as their inability to reach the playoffs, the Devils’ home record has not been good enough. They played to a 21-17-3 record at The Rock this season — a big reason they’re ticketed for an early summer. In fact, it’s been an issue that has plagued them for quite some time:
Since their franchise record 2022-23 season when they were 24-13-4 at home, they’ve went just 57-55-11 since. But for a moment, that was all irrelevant to 16,000+ fans screaming in pure jubilation.
Moving Forward
The Devils — now 42-36-3 — will head to Boston to close out their season on Tuesday (7:00 PM EDT).
