Home Ice Hockey (NHL)Devils Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines — Lammikko Returns to Switzerland, Olympics Begin, and More – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

Devils Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines — Lammikko Returns to Switzerland, Olympics Begin, and More – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

by Marcelo Moreira

The New Jersey Devils are looking to rest and reset during the Olympic break, after dropping two straight games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Islanders last week. 

In the meantime, fans can tune in to what’s happening overseas, as seven Devils will be representing their native countries in the 2026 Winter Olympics. The festivities began on Friday at San Siro Stadium in Milan, featuring the athletes’ parade. The men’s hockey tournament will begin on Feb. 11.

Here are a few storylines to follow for the week of Feb. 8 – Feb. 15, 2026.

Juho Lammikko Returns to Switzerland’s ZSC Lions

Earlier this week, forward Juho Lammikko was placed on waivers, with the intent to terminate his NHL contract. The 30-year-old has had a tough season with the Devils thus far, earning just two assists across 24 games. The move came shortly after the Devils traded Ondrej Palat to the Islanders and acquired Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues.

On Saturday, it was confirmed that Lammikko will be leaving North America to return to his former club, the ZSC Lions of the National League (NL). He previously spent three seasons with the organization, in between NHL stints with the Florida Panthers and the Vancouver Canucks.

Devils’ Olympic Send-Off

The Devils have seven representatives competing in the men’s hockey tournament: Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Jonas Siegenthaler, Jack Hughes, Simon Nemec, Jesper Bratt, and Jacob Markstrom. 

Ahead of Thursday night’s game, the players were given an Olympic send-off ceremony at Prudential Center. Members of the Jersey Girls Hockey Club took center stage with the Olympians, brandishing all four flags at the blue line: Switzerland, USA, Slovakia, and Sweden.

Looking at the Week Ahead

The Devils will not be back in action until the end of the month, with a home game against the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 25. Not only is the team currently on a three-game losing streak, but they also have the fifth-worst odds in the league to make the playoffs (2.4%). As of right now, their main priority should be to close out the season strong, then begin a roster retool of sorts.

Related: 3 Devils Who Must Step Up After the Olympic Break

But until then, fans can sit back and cheer on Devils players as they compete in best-on-best hockey on a global stage. Here is an overview of their upcoming Olympic schedule this week.  

Devils Olympic Hockey Schedule Feb. 8 — Feb 15

Date Matchup Group Time (EST)
Wed, Feb. 11 Slovakia vs Finland B 10:40 AM
Wed, Feb. 11 Sweden vs Italy B 3:10 PM
Thurs, Feb. 12 Switzerland vs France A 6:10 AM
Thurs, Feb. 12 Latvia vs USA C 3:10 PM
Fri, Feb. 13 Finland vs Sweden B 6:10 AM
Fri, Feb. 13 Italy vs Slovakia B 6:10 AM
Fri, Feb. 13 Canada vs Switzerland A 3:10 PM
Sat, Feb. 14 Sweden vs Slovakia B 6:10 AM
Sat, Feb. 14 USA vs Denmark C 3:10 PM
Sun, Feb. 15 Switzerland vs Czechia A 6:10 AM
Sun, Feb. 15 USA vs Germany C 3:10 PM

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