Blue Jackets Face Devils, Aiming to Finish Road Trip Strong
The Columbus Blue Jackets head to Newark, N.J., on Tuesday night with one goal in mind—ending their four-game road trip on a positive note. After a tough start in Florida, Columbus rebounded in a big way with a dominant 7-3 victory over the New York Rangers, setting the stage for their final matchup against the New Jersey Devils.
Fantilli Heats Up as Columbus Finds Its Groove
One of the biggest storylines for Columbus has been the emergence of Adam Fantilli. The 19-year-old center notched his second hat trick of the season against the Rangers, bringing his goal tally to 10 in his last 16 games.
“I’m feeling confident,” Fantilli said. “I’ve learned to slow down in the defensive zone, and that’s actually helped my offense. The better you play defensively, the quicker you can transition into the attack.”
Fantilli’s recent surge comes after stepping into a bigger role due to Sean Monahan’s wrist injury. While Monahan’s absence is a tough blow, the young forward is making the most of his opportunity.
“It’s bittersweet,” Fantilli admitted. “You never want to see a teammate go down, but I’m grateful for the chance to contribute.”
Werenski Rewrites Blue Jackets History
Defenseman Zach Werenski has quietly been making history for Columbus. With two assists in Sunday’s win, he surpassed franchise legend Rick Nash for the team’s all-time assist record, reaching 260 career helpers.
“I mean, it’s cool,” Werenski said. “But honestly, I’m just focused on playing my game and helping the team win. The record is nice, but winning is what matters.”

Devils Bounce Back, Eyeing a Win at Home
New Jersey, meanwhile, snapped a three-game skid with a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. The victory came with contributions from some fresh faces, including Cody Glass, who scored in his Devils debut just two days after being acquired from Pittsburgh.
“It felt good,” Glass said. “It’s a lot to take in, learning a new system, but Hauls (Erik Haula) and Spronger (Daniel Sprong) have helped me adjust. Once I stop overthinking, I’ll be even more comfortable out there.”
Sprong, another new addition from the Seattle Kraken, showed promise in his first game with New Jersey, firing three shots on goal in just over 11 minutes of ice time.
“They’re opportunistic,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said of the new-look line of Haula, Glass, and Sprong. “Glass got a chance and buried it. That’s what you like to see.”
Hughes Continues to Shine
Luke Hughes continues to prove he’s a rising star for the Devils. The young defenseman assisted on a goal against Philadelphia, giving him seven assists in his last seven games. He also recorded a goal and an assist in the previous matchup against Columbus, making him a key player to watch in Tuesday’s game.

Final Thoughts: A Must-Watch Matchup
With both teams looking to build momentum—Columbus aiming for a .500 road trip and New Jersey trying to string together wins—this showdown in Newark should be a competitive one.
Can the Blue Jackets carry their offensive firepower into another strong performance, or will the Devils’ new additions give them the edge at home? Either way, it’s shaping up to be an exciting battle on the ice.