Puck drop is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
TV: MSGSN, SNP, SNO, SNE (ESPN+ in some markets)
This is the first meeting of the 2026-27 season. The Canucks are in the middle of an East Coast road trip (and play the Rangers the next night in a back-to-back), while the Devils are well-rested after three days off following a loss to Utah.
Projected Lineups / Current Rosters
Canucks forwards
Jake DeBrusk – Elias Pettersson – Jonathan Lekkerimäki
Paul Cotter – Marco Rossi – Brock Boeser
Liam Öhgren – Max Sasson – Linus Karlsson
Arshdeep Bains – Drew O’Connor – Aatu Räty Canucks defense
Zeev Buium – Filip Hronek
Jamie Oleksiak – Tom Willander
Elias Pettersson – Victor Mancini Goaltenders: Leevi Meriläinen / Kevin Lankinen (Lankinen projected more likely by some models; Meriläinen has shown stronger early numbers in limited action). Scratched (projected): Brendan Gallagher, Guillaume Brisebois.
Devils forwards
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Luke Evangelista
Jesper Bratt – Jack Hughes – Anthony Mantha
Arseny Gritsyuk – Evan Rodrigues – Dawson Mercer
Amadeus Lombardi – Cody Glass – Jesper Boqvist Devils defense
Luke Hughes – Brett Pesce
Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton
Brenden Dillon – Declan Chisholm Goaltenders: Nico Daws / Jake Allen (Allen projected as the more likely starter). Scratched (projected): Remi Poirier.
Injury / Status Reports
Canucks:
Thatcher Demko (G, hip) – out (expected mid-to-late December).
Filip Chytil (C, shoulder) – IR (status uncertain; listed as out until at least Oct. 10 in some reports).
Additional non-roster/IR: Akil Thomas (C), Jack Thompson (D), Mackenzie MacEachern (LW) – out.
Devils:
Connor Brown (RW, lower body) – out (expected next week).
Nick Bjugstad (C, upper body/pectoral) – long-term IR.
Seamus Casey (D, knee) – out (8–10 weeks post-surgery).
Johnathan Kovacevic (D, upper body/knee) – IR (possible return around this timeframe in some reports).
Jonas Siegenthaler (D, undisclosed) – day-to-day; practiced Friday and is possible for Saturday.
Recent Team Forms
Canucks (2-3-0): High-event hockey. Results: W 6-5 OT at EDM, L 7-9 vs. EDM, W 4-1 vs. CGY, L 2-3 vs. VGK, L 2-7 at CAR. They rank near the top in goals for (~4.2 GF/G) but near the bottom in goals against (~5.0 GA/G). Power play ~17.6%; penalty kill a league-worst ~57.9%. Elias Pettersson is on a five-game point streak (2G-6A). Paul Cotter leads the team with 4 goals and faces his former club. Defense and goaltending (especially Lankinen’s early numbers) have been liabilities.
Devils (1-2-0): Slow start with defensive issues. Results: W 3-2 OT vs. PHI, L 0-6 at NYI, L 3-5 vs. UTA. Roughly 2.0 GF/G and 4.3 GA/G. Strong shot volume (~38 SF/G) but poor finishing and special teams (PP ~7.1%, PK ~62.5%). Luke Evangelista has 2 goals and 3 points. Jack Hughes and the skill lines have generated chances but conversion and defensive structure have lagged. Home record 1-1-0; they enter well-rested.
Key Player Matchups
Elias Pettersson / Paul Cotter vs. Devils top pairs (Luke Hughes-Pesce or Siegenthaler-Hamilton): Pettersson is rolling (8 points in 5 games); Cotter is hot (4 goals) and faces his old team for the first time. New Jersey’s blue line is thinned by injuries.
Jack Hughes / Jesper Bratt / Luke Evangelista vs. Canucks defense (Hronek-Buium): Hughes’ speed and playmaking against Vancouver’s high-event, vulnerable defensive structure and weak PK. Evangelista has early scoring form.
Goaltending: Both sides have been leaky early. Lankinen/Meriläinen for VAN vs. Allen/Daws for NJD — edge could go to whoever is more consistent on the day.
Special teams and transition: Vancouver’s high shot/goal volume against New Jersey’s volume shooting but finishing struggles; PK battles will be critical given both teams’ early-season struggles killing penalties.
Series History
Vancouver holds a strong all-time edge (roughly 61-44-17-4 overall, including solid road marks). In the last 10 meetings the split is closer (Canucks 4-5-1 in some counts of recent games). Recent results include NJD 5-4 at VAN (Jan. 23, 2026), VAN 2-1 SO at NJD (Dec. 14, 2025), VAN 4-3 SO at NJD (March 24, 2025), NJD 6-0 at VAN (Oct. 30, 2024), and VAN 6-4 at NJD (Jan. 6, 2024). Games have often been high-scoring.
Betting Trends
Both teams have played high-event games early (Canucks especially), supporting the elevated total. Vancouver’s road form and defensive issues make them a clear underdog; New Jersey’s rest advantage and home ice factor into the heavy favorite price.
Game Odds
Vancouver Canucks 6.5
New Jersey Devils – 285
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 9, 2026
