The New Jersey Devils are shaping up to be a solid team towards the end of the 2025-26 season. After putting up a 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games, they’ve finally found their groove, operating at another level since the Olympic break concluded.
With the clock winding down on the regular season, fans are anxious to see if their offensive strength can continue in the Devils’ final six games. Despite being second-to-last in the Metropolitan Division, their continued improvement is pointing the team in the right direction.
This week, the Devils have five games slated, including a brief two-game homestand, both against division rivals. Here are a few storylines to follow for the week of April 5 — April 12, 2026.
Arseny Gritsyuk Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
After sustaining an upper-body injury against the Dallas Stars, fans hoped that rookie Arseny Gritsyuk wouldn’t miss an extended period of time. He was initially listed as day-to-day, then shifted to week-to-week after requiring further evaluation.
Ahead of facing the New York Rangers, head coach Sheldon Keefe shared that all signs pointed to an early return, with Gritsyuk making progress and skating with the team. But unfortunately, the undisclosed injury required surgery, sidelining the Russian rookie for the remainder of the season.
The team shared his message to fans on social media, explaining what their continued support during his debut season meant to him.
Heal up, Grits. pic.twitter.com/cRXnRkAQae
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 2, 2026
Gritsyuk had a major impact during his first season in the NHL, tallying 13 goals and 31 points — a bright point in a tumultuous season. Before his injury, he earned four goals and four assists in March, along with 26 shots on goal and a 15.4 shooting percentage. Even though his season was cut short, there’s no doubt that he will play a major role in the Devils’ organization moving forward.
The Offensive Dominance of “PB&J”
The Devils’ recent stretch of goalscoring has been impressive. Since the Olympic break, their 3.58 goals-per-game pace ranks fifth in the league — a far cry from the team that only scored more than one goal once in February.
A majority of the star power comes from two players in particular: Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. They kicked off April with a dominant performance over the Washington Capitals, each tallying five points in their 7-3 victory — a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since Scott Gomez and Patrik Elias in 2003. Together, Hughes and Bratt have contributed 10 goals in their last five games, combining for 13 points since the start of April.
But recently, Connor Brown has taken “PB&J” to another level. The trio’s chemistry has been off the charts, making the Devils’ top line a lethal weapon. Since the start of April, they’ve generated three goals, 28 shot attempts, 11 scoring chances, 16 shots on goal, and four high-danger scoring chances.
As it stands, Brown has excelled on the Devils’ top line at the end of the season. The veteran right wing’s 39-point total even puts him in the club’s top five for scoring. In the final six games of the season, the Bratt-Hughes-Brown line is expected to help carry the team’s momentum.
Nico Hischier’s Seven-Game Point Streak
No one embodies the spirit of the Devils quite like Nico Hischier. Not only does he lead the team in goals and power-play points, but he also leads by example. All season long, he’s been a consistent presence, providing plenty of scoring but also invaluable defense, which could earn him the second Selke Trophy nomination of his career.
But his point production has skyrocketed at the end of the season. Since the Olympics, he’s recorded six multipoint games, along with eight power-play points and 38 shots on goal.
Related: Devils’ Offensive Surge a Silver Lining Amidst Rocky Season
Now, Hischier’s efforts are being rewarded in the form of a seven-game point streak. Within that time frame, he’s tallied 10 points, which included the game-winning power-play goal against the Nashville Predators. This marks his longest point streak of the season, following a six-game streak at the end of November.
Overall, the Devils’ captain has been instrumental in the team’s end-of-season surge, rallying the team for one last shot at redemption.
Devils Schedule April 5 — April 12
| Date | Opponent | Time (EDT) | Venue | Notes |
| Sun, April 5 | Montreal Canadiens | 7:00 PM | Bell Centre | Closing out the second half of a back-to-back after Saturday’s shootout loss |
| Tue, April 7 | Philadelphia Flyers | 7:00 PM | Prudential Center | Looking for redemption after a 5-3 loss in November |
| Thur, April 9 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7:00 PM | Prudential Center | Seeking second win of the season after going 1-2-0 against the Penguins |
| Sat, April 11 | Detroit Red Wings | 5:00 PM | Little Caesars Arena | Season series finale, following a 3-0 shutout loss last month |
| Sun, April 12 | Ottawa Senators | 7:00 PM | Prudential Center | Marks the final home game of the 2025-26 season |
