Now that the Olympic break has come and gone, the New Jersey Devils should have one goal in mind — to end the season on a high note. After dropping two straight games against the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins, they achieved a feat that’s evaded them for the past month: a three-game win streak. Not only that, but they won consecutive games on a back-to-back, which is something the team has struggled with all season long.
Even though their playoff window is quickly closing, the team still has plenty to be proud of, including a solid core of players, a promising group of prospects, and a tremendous fanbase. But there are a few players who can end the season with a strong performance. Without further ado, here are three Devils to watch in the final 20 games of 2025-26.
Arseny Gritsyuk
The first player who should be on everyone’s radar is the Devils’ Russian rookie, Arseny Gritsyuk. His first season in North America has been a smashing success, with 11 goals and 15 assists.
He’s been a bright spot, particularly in 5-on-5 scenarios, which the team has had difficulties with all season long. Of his 26 points, 22 have come in 5-on-5 situations, including nine goals. In fact, he leads all Devils’ forwards in 5-on-5 on-ice goals for (34), paired with a 58.21 shot attempt percentage (CF%).
Gritsyuk is currently on a two-game point streak, beginning with a goal against the Florida Panthers. He kicked off the scoring 12:10 into the first period, securing the highly elusive 1-0 lead for the Devils after firing a snap shot past Sergei Bobrovsky. He was also the hero the following night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, tying the game at two in the second period, then assisting Connor Brown‘s goal in the third, paving the way for the Devils’ 4-3 shootout win.
His entry-level contract (ELC) is over at the end of the season, but the Devils should consider signing him to a long-term deal. Gritsyuk has provided a much-needed spark to the lineup and has quickly become a fan favorite, not only for his high-energy play but also for his Telegram account, where he frequently shares videos and updates. With that being said, it should come as no surprise if he finishes the season strong, somewhere in the 30-point region.
Dawson Mercer
The next Devil who could have an impactful end to the season is Dawson Mercer. With 20 games at hand, he’s four points away from matching last season’s total of 36 and currently ranks fourth in the club for total points with 32. This marks the second time he’s cracked the top five in Devils’ points, the first being his breakout season in 2022-23.
Mercer scored an empty-net goal Tuesday night against the Panthers, then assisted on a game-tying goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. He’s also recorded seven shots on goal in his last two games, marking an offensive uptick since the start of February.
Related: New Jersey Devils’ 3 Stars of February
Many speculated that he could be dealt at the trade deadline, but it would have been unwise for the Devils to trade one of their biggest assets. For starters, Mercer has played in every game of the season, beginning with his rookie campaign in 2021-22. But his versatility has also been invaluable when the team has had to adjust and pivot amid numerous injuries. He played center out of necessity and is now excelling as a top-six wing.
Mercer’s recent performance indicates that he’s still an important piece of New Jersey’s roster. If he continues at his current pace, there’s a high likelihood that he can surpass the 40-point threshold before the end of the season.
Timo Meier
The third and final Devil who can lead the team to a strong finish is Timo Meier. It all started with an outstanding tournament in the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he tallied three goals and four assists in five games for Team Switzerland. Now, his offensive dominance could make or break the team’s redemption arc.
Currently, he has 31 points this season, marking a slight drop-off after three consecutive seasons with at least 50 points. But he’s been phenomenal at generating shots on goal and scoring chances. Based on data from NHL Edge, Meier ranks near the top of the league among all forwards, in the 95th percentile in high-danger shots, as well as the 98th percentile in all shots on goal. Likewise, he’s been on the ice for an average of 73.63 shot attempts every 60 minutes.
Not to mention his impressive physicality. Meier is not afraid to use his size to his advantage, as shown by his 38 blocks and 103 hits this season. Combined with his high shot volume and effectiveness at even strength, he is expected to play a key role as the Devils look to continue their current win streak. Can his “March Meier Madness” lead the team’s resurgence?
Devils Must End the Season Strong
The Devils certainly have their work cut out for them as the rest of the season unfolds. A three-game win streak is a good start, but they still have a ways to go in terms of clawing their way up from the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. After refraining from making any moves ahead of the trade deadline, fans are anxious to see if their current group can rise to the challenge before time runs out.
