The New Jersey Devils are enjoying a late-season turnaround, with a 9-5-0 record throughout March. What stands out the most in their recent stretch of games is consistent goalscoring, improved special teams, and elite performances from top players.
With their post-Olympic struggles finally behind them, the last eight games of the season will be their final test. And following a quiet trade deadline, fans are anxious to see what the offseason might have in store for the Devils.
As the end of the season quickly approaches, there were a few Devils who went above and beyond. In the latest installment of the “Three Stars of the Month” series for The Hockey Writers, here are the players who made the greatest impact during the month of March.
Third Star: Dougie Hamilton
Once again, Dougie Hamilton has proven himself as an elite offensive defenseman. After dealing with an injury early on in the season, paired with countless trade rumors, many wondered whether his $9 million average annual value (AAV) had become too much of a burden. But his late-season resurgence suggests otherwise, with 10 points in March.
He kicked things off with a two-point game against the Florida Panthers, tallying the game-winning goal and an assist in the Devils’ 5-1 win. Hamilton played a major role in both of the team’s three-game win streaks, even going on a three-game point streak of his own.
Hamilton has also been a major contributor on the Devils’ top power-play unit, with his high-volume shooting and lethal one-timer. In March, he tallied two assists on the man advantage. So far this season, he’s been on the ice for 24 power-play goals, helping generate 279 shot attempts and 95 high-danger scoring chances.
Related: 3 New Jersey Devils Who Could Be Traded This Offseason
Even when he was relegated to the second power-play unit against the Chicago Blackhawks, he found his way onto the scoreboard. Hamilton tied the game at three in the third period, allowing the Devils to rally for a 5-3 comeback win. He was also crucial in last week’s win against the Dallas Stars, with an assist and an empty-net goal to secure a 6-4 victory, which also happened to be his 900th career NHL game.
Even though he remains a top candidate to be traded during the offseason, there’s no denying the value that Hamilton brings. He’s helped shape the team’s identity, acting as a strong veteran presence while anchoring the Devils’ blue line.
Second Star: Jesper Bratt
Closing out the regular season, Jesper Bratt has played a major role in the Devils’ success. Throughout March, his point production has skyrocketed, with six goals and 12 assists. Averaging 18:13 ice time per game, he not only went on a seven-game point streak, but also earned the 500th NHL point of his career.
The Devils also went 4-1-0 during Bratt’s five-game goal streak, where he recorded a total of nine points. As always, he remains a permanent fixture on their top line, making crucial plays when the team needs it most. For example, he scored the opening goal in the Devils’ 4-2 win against the Nashville Predators, then notched two assists, including one on Nico Hischier’s game-winning power-play goal.
In his last five games, he’s been on-ice for 10 Devils’ goals, along with 33 high-danger scoring chances. But some of his best performances last month came against the New York Rangers. Much like the rest of the team, Bratt brings his A-game against their biggest rivals, with two goals and three assists in the Devils’ two wins over the Rangers.
Bratt continues to be an elite all-situations player, but he’s also valuable in terms of his dependability. In the past four seasons, he’s missed only one game, and he’s on pace to hit 70 points for the fifth season in a row. If the Devils continue their current end-of-season push, there’s no doubt that Bratt will be a top contributor.
First Star: Jack Hughes
For the second month in a row, Jack Hughes is the Devils’ first star of the month. Since his overtime golden goal for Team USA at the Olympics, he’s been unstoppable, with 24 points throughout March. His 63-point total puts him first on the club, even after missing 21 games this season.
Hughes scored 10 goals last month, recording multi-goal games against the Rangers, Stars, and Blackhawks. In fact, he earned his fourth career hat trick in the first Devils-Rangers matchup of the season, ending the night with two power-play points and five shots on goal.
Never tell Jack the odds. pic.twitter.com/pkkmCU9pwb
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) March 30, 2026
This season, he leads the club’s forwards in a few different rates, including time on ice per game (21:07) and goals for every 60 minutes (4.34). Hughes is also tied with Bratt for the most primary assists at 25. With Hughes producing at such an elite level, fans can’t help but wonder whether the Devils would be in a playoff spot right now, had a freak hand injury not sidelined him for over a month.
Even though it’s a bit too late for wishful thinking, it’s still undeniable that the Devils’ star player has been an important factor in the team’s recent success. In the home stretch of the season, fans will look to Hughes for highlight-worthy playmaking.
Looking Ahead to April
The Devils will close out the regular season in April, with just eight games remaining. They will play their final two back-to-backs, including two straight games against the Montreal Canadiens, both at home and away. The season will come to a close on April 11, when the Devils face the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.
