Opening night at the Prudential Center is more than just a game; it's a statement for the New Jersey Devils, a chance to showcase the team's progress and aspirations for the season. Here’s a look back at the Devils' last five home openers, ranked from the least to most memorable:
October 10, 2024 — Devils 2, Toronto Maple Leafs 4 Expectations were high for the Devils, especially with Sheldon Keefe making his debut behind the bench against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the Devils fell short, with sloppy turnovers and unsuccessful power plays contributing to a disappointing loss. Despite a sold-out crowd, the team couldn't capitalize on the momentum from their NHL Global Series sweep against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague.
October 12, 2023 — Devils 4, Detroit Red Wings 3 The Devils delivered an exciting win in their season opener against the Detroit Red Wings. Dougie Hamilton's tie-breaking goal in the third period and Jack Hughes' two goals fueled an electric atmosphere at The Rock. This victory boosted the high expectations following the Devils' impressive 112-point campaign in 2022-23.
October 15, 2022 — Devils 2, Red Wings 5 The 2022-23 season ultimately became a historic one for the Devils, but it began with a lackluster performance. The Devils looked disorganized, leading to frustrated fans chanting "Fire Lindy," expressing their dissatisfaction with then-coach Lindy Ruff. Despite the rocky start, the team rebounded to achieve a franchise-best 52-22-8 record.
The article excludes the 2020-21 season due to the late start from the COVID-19 pandemic.
