The New Jersey Devils wrap up a challenging road trip with a visit to the high-scoring Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas, leading the Pacific Division with strong home play and offensive depth, looks to exploit New Jersey’s injury concerns, while the Devils aim to steal points behind their star forwards in a late-night national broadcast.
Game Details
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Puck Drop: 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT)
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise (Las Vegas), Nevada
Broadcast: TNT, HBO Max, truTV, Sportsnet ONE (Canada), ESPN+
Vegas holds 41 points and a strong home record, while New Jersey has 37 points and fights for consistency in the Metropolitan. The Golden Knights opened as clear home favorites, with the total reflecting potential for goals.
Injury Report
New Jersey Devils:
Out/IR: Simon Nemec (D – injured reserve), Arseni Gritsyuk (RW – upper body)
Nearing Return: Brett Pesce (D – practicing, potential activation soon)
Depth impacted on blue line; core forwards like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt available.
Vegas Golden Knights:
Day-to-Day: Jack Eichel (C – illness, monitored but expected to play)
Otherwise healthy; Mark Stone, Shea Theodore, Adin Hill in form.
Eichel’s status is key—if out, Vegas loses major playmaking punch.
Recent Team Forms
Vegas is thriving at home with comeback ability; New Jersey shows resilience but road struggles.
New Jersey Devils (mixed road trip, ~5-4-1 last 10):
Inconsistent but competitive:
Recent: Tight loss to Vancouver Canucks (e.g., 2-1 style); prior games with offensive flashes from Hughes line.
Road defense leaky at times; relying on Jacob Markstrom in net.
Vegas Golden Knights (strong December, comeback wins):
Hot at home with balanced attack:
Dec 13: Win 3-2 at Columbus Blue Jackets (third-period rally, Brayden McNabb GWG)
Prior: Successful Metropolitan road trip points; offensive depth shining.
Strong special teams and goaltending carrying momentum.
Key Player Matchups
Jack Hughes/Nico Hischier (NJD) vs. Jack Eichel (VGK, if plays)/William Karlsson: Devils’ dynamic centers and speed vs. Vegas’ pivot depth—Hughes’ creativity could test Theodore/Pietrangelo if Eichel limited.
Jesper Bratt/Timo Meier (NJD) vs. Shea Theodore/Alex Pietrangelo (VGK): New Jersey’s wing scoring vs. Vegas’ mobile, offensive blue line.
Mark Stone (VGK) vs. Devils Defense (Hamilton/Pesce if back): Stone’s two-way play and forecheck vs. depleted NJ back end.
Goaltending: Jacob Markstrom (NJD, solid recent starts) vs. Adin Hill (VGK) – Hill’s home dominance gives edge.
Series History
Vegas heavily dominates the all-time series (10-2-3 or similar, with multiple streaks). Earlier this season (Dec. 5, 2025 at NJ): Vegas won 3-0 (shutout performance). Games often feature Vegas’ physicality and transition overwhelming New Jersey; totals mixed but recent leaning under with strong netminding.
Betting Trends
Key Trends:
Golden Knights: Poor ATS overall (8-23 league-worst) but strong SU at home; overs possible with offense.
Devils: 7-9 ATS on road; competitive as underdogs.
Head-to-head: Vegas covers frequently; recent game under.
Game Odds
New Jersey Devils 5.5
Vegas Golden Knights – 185
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, December 16, 2025
