The New Jersey Devils are set to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The puck drops at 3:00 PM EST, and the game will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN+.
Team Form and Standings
- New Jersey Devils: The Devils are having a strong season with a 36-25-6 record, sitting comfortably in third place in the Metropolitan Division. They are riding a three-game winning streak, with victories over the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Edmonton Oilers. Despite missing key players like Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton, the Devils have maintained their momentum, outscoring opponents 11-6 during this stretch.
- Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins, with a 27-31-10 record, are struggling to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference. However, they have shown signs of life recently, winning three consecutive games, including a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Goaltender Tristan Jarry has been instrumental in this resurgence, allowing just six goals on 103 shots during the streak.
Key Players to Watch
- New Jersey Devils:
- Jesper Bratt: Bratt has stepped up in Hughes’ absence, leading the team with 57 assists and 76 points. He has recorded six points in his last two games.
- Nico Hischier: The Devils’ captain is tied for the team lead in goals with 27 and continues to be a reliable two-way presence.
- Timo Meier: Meier is closing in on the 20-goal mark, contributing 18 goals and 25 assists this season.
- Pittsburgh Penguins:
- Sidney Crosby: The Penguins’ captain leads the team with 72 points (23 goals, 49 assists) and has been on a tear, recording points in 13 of his last 15 games.
- Rickard Rakell: Rakell recently hit the 30-goal mark for the first time since the 2017-18 season, providing a much-needed scoring boost.
- Tristan Jarry: Jarry has been stellar since his return from the AHL, posting a 3-0-0 record with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage in his last three starts.
Matchup Insights
- The Devils lead the season series 2-0, including a 3-2 shootout victory in their most recent meeting on February 4, 2025. Jack Hughes scored both regulation goals for New Jersey in that game.
- Pittsburgh has struggled against New Jersey at home, losing their last six matchups at the PPG Paints Arena.
- Special teams could play a pivotal role, as the Devils boast the league’s 4th-ranked power play (27.3%) and 3rd-ranked penalty kill (82.9%), while the Penguins’ penalty kill ranks 19th (77.5%).
Injuries and Lineups
- New Jersey Devils: The Devils are without Jack Hughes (shoulder) and Dougie Hamilton (upper body) for the remainder of the regular season. Jonas Siegenthaler is also sidelined.
- Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins are relatively healthy, with no major injuries reported. Tristan Jarry is expected to make his fourth consecutive start.
