Devils Aim to Bounce Back on the Road Against Red-Hot Blackhawks
The New Jersey Devils are heading into a crucial matchup tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center, and this one carries a lot of weight for both sides. The Devils, sitting at 11-4-1, are looking to shake off their first home loss of the season — a tough 3-2 overtime defeat against the New York Islanders — while the 8-5-3 Blackhawks are coming in hot with a three-game winning streak.
For New Jersey, this game marks the beginning of a five-game road trip, and it’s a chance to reset after a disappointing stretch away from home. Their last road trip ended with just one win in four games, and head coach Sheldon Keefe made it clear that improvement is needed. Speaking with NHL.com, Keefe admitted, “We didn’t like the way our last road trip went. We have to play better on the road. It’s a good opportunity for us to get that right.”
The Blackhawks, meanwhile, have been building confidence, largely thanks to the sensational play of rookie phenom Connor Bedard. The young forward is currently on an eight-game point streak and has racked up 11 points in his last five games. Bedard leads the team with 25 points and is tied for the team lead in goals with nine. His performance has been nothing short of electric, and it’s giving Chicago fans a lot to cheer about early in the season.
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Keefe acknowledged the challenge of containing Bedard and the Blackhawks’ young, fast lineup. “Lots of speed and skill. Bedard is playing on another level right now,” he said. “Their confidence has grown, and defensively, they’ve taken a real step forward. Every game this season has been a challenge, and this will be no different.”
The Devils will have to make some lineup adjustments heading into this one, as several key players remain out due to injuries — including Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, and Evgenii Dadonov. To spark more offense, Keefe has shuffled his top lines, pairing Dawson Mercer with Jack Hughes and Arseny Gritsyuk, while Jesper Bratt joins Nico Hischier and Timo Meier. “It’s been too long that both lines haven’t connected offensively,” Keefe explained. “It’s time for a different look.”
Jesper Bratt seemed optimistic about the shake-up, saying, “It boosts you up to get new linemates — even if they aren’t really new, just familiar faces. It’ll be good to help the team get a little spark.”
For the Devils, this game is more than just a chance to get back in the win column — it’s an opportunity to prove they can be as dominant on the road as they’ve been at home. Dawson Mercer summed it up best: “We feel being a great road team would be a huge step for us. After our last trip, we want to end on a more positive note. Right now, we have a great opportunity to really prove that and turn the switch.”
Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET in the Windy City, and with both teams eager to make a statement, this one’s shaping up to be a thrilling showdown.
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