The New Jersey Devils suffered a "disappointing" 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in a game where they carried much of the play but couldn't overcome an early deficit. Here are three takeaways from the defeat:
1. Penalty Kill Struggles Continue to Haunt the Devils
The Devils' penalty kill woes persist, significantly impacting their ability to win games. Vancouver scored two power-play goals in the first period, capitalizing on hooking and boarding penalties by Dougie Hamilton and Stefan Noesen, respectively. These early power-play goals put the Devils in a hole they couldn't climb out of. The Devils' PK unit managed to kill off one penalty, finishing 1-for-3 on the penalty kill. Since October 26, the Devils' penalty kill percentage is a mere 68.4%, a figure that would rank among the worst in NHL history if sustained. Defenseman Brenden Dillon expressed his frustration, stating that the struggling penalty kill is directly costing them games. Goaltending hasn't been stellar on the PK either; the team's netminders have stopped 3.65 goals below expected since October 26 while shorthanded.
2. Slow Starts and Missed Opportunities
The Devils endured another slow start, allowing the Canucks to dictate the game's early pace. Jake DeBrusk scored just 61 seconds into the game, further compounding the issue. Despite outshooting the Canucks 26-15, the Devils struggled to convert their chances, with Thatcher Demko stopping 25 of 26 shots. Luke Hughes managed to score the lone goal for the Devils. The team's inability to capitalize on offensive opportunities and overcome the early two-goal deficit proved to be their downfall.
3. New Faces Impact the Game
Zeev Buium, acquired by the Canucks in a trade, had a memorable debut, scoring what would prove to be the game-winning goal. Buium also contributed an assist. Liam Ohgren, another player involved in the trade, also made his debut for Vancouver. For the Devils, the absence of key players like Jack Hughes (finger surgery) and Timo Meier (family health matter) continues to impact the team's performance. The team has lost 10 of 16 games since Jack Hughes' injury.
The Devils will look to rebound on Wednesday as they begin a two-game road trip against the Vegas Golden Knights.
