The Devils’ Bumpy Road Leads to High-Stakes Matchup with Kraken

The New Jersey Devils are having a rough go of it. Their six-game road trip has been a disaster so far, with zero wins in four tries. And now, they’re headed into a tough matchup against the Seattle Kraken on Monday night. Both teams are dealing with their own challenges, making this game feel like a “who’s going to figure it out first” showdown.

Devils’ Road Trip Woes

A String of Tough Losses

Let’s be real—this road trip has been brutal for the Devils. The latest heartbreaker? A 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, with the game-winner scored in the final 25 seconds. Ouch.

The frustration is starting to show, and head coach Sheldon Keefe didn’t hold back after the game.

It’s a pretty fair summary. Since the NHL holiday break, the Devils have only managed one win—a solid 4-2 victory over Carolina on Dec. 27. But since then, it’s been a downhill slide.

The Captain Speaks Out

Nico Hischier, who turned 26 on Saturday, scored in the loss to San Jose. He knows this stretch has been tough, but he’s staying optimistic.

“We’re frustrated,” Hischier admitted. “But we’ve got to stick together. That’s how you grow as a team and come out stronger on the other side.”

The Devils’ other big problem? They’re struggling to score because they’re not defending well. As Keefe explained, being off by just a stride can throw everything out of whack.

Kraken: Hot and Cold at Home

Inconsistent Performances

Over in Seattle, the Kraken are also dealing with their fair share of issues. They’re 1-1-1 on their current homestand, coming off a 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.

The problem? Another slow start. Seattle gave up two goals in the first five minutes, and despite a late rally, they just couldn’t climb out of that hole. Head coach Dan Bylsma wasn’t thrilled.

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“Not good enough. We were standing around too much early on, letting their key players do their thing,” Bylsma said.

Late Comebacks: A Double-Edged Sword

If there’s one thing the Kraken have proven, it’s that they don’t quit. They pulled off an insane comeback against Vancouver on Dec. 28, overcoming a three-goal deficit in the final five minutes to win.

But let’s face it, constantly playing catch-up isn’t a winning formula.

“We’ve got to start better,” said forward Jaden Schwartz, who’s been on fire lately with seven points in six games. “It’s tough to keep coming back all the time in this league.”

Injuries and Key Players to Watch

For the Devils

Goalie Jacob Markstrom has been solid, making 21 saves against San Jose. But he can’t do it all, and the team’s defensive breakdowns aren’t doing him any favors.

For the Kraken

Seattle is feeling the pinch with some key injuries. Defenseman Adam Larsson left Saturday’s game with an upper-body injury, and his status is still up in the air. Meanwhile, goalie Philipp Grubauer has been stepping up with Joey Daccord sidelined, keeping his team in games even when they struggle defensively.

What to Watch For in This Matchup

The Devils Need To:

• Fix Their Defense: The Devils need to clean up their defensive structure. If they can tighten things up, it’ll lead to better scoring chances on the other end.
• Stay United: As Hischier said, sticking together during tough times is key to turning things around.

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The Kraken Need To:

• Start Strong: Seattle has to stop digging early holes. Coming out aggressive and setting the tone is critical.
• Ride the Hot Hand: Jaden Schwartz has been a bright spot, and the team needs to keep feeding him the puck.

Why This Game Matters

For both teams, this game is a chance to hit reset. The Devils are desperate to snap their losing streak, while the Kraken are looking to finish their homestand on a high note.

It’s a matchup that could go either way, depending on which team shows up ready to play. One thing’s for sure—both squads have something to prove.