The New Jersey Devils (16-8-1), holding firm in second place in the Metropolitan Division despite a rash of injuries sidelining key contributors like Jack Hughes, welcome the slumping Columbus Blue Jackets (11-9-5) to Prudential Center on Monday night. This Metropolitan Division clash carries playoff implications early in the season, with New Jersey aiming to extend their home dominance (9-3-0) and snap a mini-slump, while Columbus desperately seeks to halt a four-game skid (0-2-2) marked by blown third-period leads. The Devils’ balanced attack—led by Jesper Bratt’s playmaking and Jake Allen’s resurgence in net—faces a Blue Jackets squad reliant on Zach Werenski’s blue-line heroics but hampered by backcourt injuries. Expect a gritty, special-teams battle, as New Jersey’s top-7 power play (23.81%) tests Columbus’ middling penalty kill (78.2%). Faceoff is at 7:00 p.m. ET, streaming on ESPN+ with local coverage on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (FDSNOH) and MSG Networks.
Venue Location
Arena: Prudential Center
Address: 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Capacity: 16,514 for hockey
Notable Features: Opened in 2007, “The Rock” is a downtown Newark hub known for its raucous Devils faithful and state-of-the-art acoustics, fueling a 9-3-0 home mark this season (avg. attendance 15,800). Premium perks include the Igloo Club and LED-illuminated concourses. Easy access via NJ Transit (Penn Station stop); parking in the adjacent garage costs $30+; rideshares advised to navigate post-game traffic on Routes 1&9.
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Duration: Standard NHL game (60 minutes), plus potential overtime/shootout; typically 2.5 hours including intermissions and TV timeouts.
Injury Report
Injuries have hit both squads hard, but New Jersey’s depth has masked the blow of losing Hughes, while Columbus’ absences exacerbate their offensive woes (26th in goals at 2.8 GPG). Latest updates as of game day (monitor NHL.com for changes):
Columbus Blue Jackets:
| Player | Position | Injury | Status | Expected Return |
| Kirill Marchenko | RW | Upper body | Out | Re-evaluation in 1-2 weeks (mid-December) |
| Cole Sillinger | C | Upper body | Out | Indefinite (late December) |
| Sean Monahan | C | Upper body | Out | Re-evaluation in 7-10 days |
| Erik Gudbranson | D | Upper body | Out | Mid-December |
| Kevin Labanc | RW | Shoulder | Out | Indefinite (January) |
Impact: Marchenko’s absence (team-high 24 goals pre-injury) drops Columbus’ scoring to 2.4 GPG without him, straining lines led by Fantilli/Johnson. Gudbranson/Labanc thin the blue line (22nd in opponent shots allowed at 32.4), exposing a penalty kill that’s failed in 7-of-15 November games.
New Jersey Devils:
| Player | Position | Injury | Status | Expected Return |
| Jack Hughes | C | Finger (LTIR) | Out | Training camp 2026 |
| Evgenii Dadonov | RW | Undisclosed | Out | Re-evaluation in 2 weeks |
| Brett Pesce | D | Undisclosed | Out | Indefinite (January) |
| Johnathan Kovacevic | D | Knee | Out | Opening Night 2026 |
Impact: Hughes’ early-season flash (10G-10A in 17GP) leaves a void in top-line creation, but Bratt/Hischier have stepped up (combined 23-37-60). Defensive injuries strain pairings, but New Jersey ranks 14th in GA (3.0 GPG); no goalie issues with Allen/Markstrom tandem.
Player Matchups
New Jersey’s speed (top-10 in rush chances at 28.4%) could exploit Columbus’ turnover-prone forecheck (15.2 per game, 24th), but the Jackets’ physicality (12th in hits at 22.1) sets up board battles. Key head-to-heads:
C: Boone Jenner (CBJ) vs. Nico Hischier (NJD)
Jenner (6’2″, 18G-22A, captain’s grit) vs. Hischier (6’1″, 9G-14A, Selke candidate). Hischier’s faceoff prowess (54.2% win rate) neutralizes Jenner’s shutdown role; Devils win 62% of draws in Metro games. Edge: Devils.
LW: Dmitri Voronkov (CBJ) vs. Timo Meier (NJD)
Voronkov (6’3″, 20G, physical sniper) vs. Meier (6’5″, 9G-12A, power forward). Voronkov’s net-front presence tests Meier’s shot (12.4% conversion), but New Jersey’s PK (84.6%, 6th) limits Columbus’ even-strength goals (2.1 GPG, 25th). Edge: Devils.
RW: Adam Fantilli (CBJ) vs. Jesper Bratt (NJD)
Fantilli (6’2″, 21G, rookie sensation) vs. Bratt (5’10”, 17G-53A, assist machine). Fantilli’s speed clashes with Bratt’s vision (top-10 in primary assists); Jackets allow 1.8 rush goals per game (20th). Edge: Devils.
D: Zach Werenski (CBJ) vs. Simon Nemec (NJD)
Werenski (6’2″, 20G-25A, blue-line dynamo) vs. Nemec (6’2″, 6G-9A, emerging rookie). Werenski’s point production (0.96 PPG vs. NJD career) overwhelms, but Nemec’s pairing limits opponents to 2.4 GAA. Edge: Blue Jackets.
G: Jet Greaves (CBJ) vs. Jake Allen (NJD)
Greaves (rookie, 2.80 GAA in November relief) vs. Allen (35yo vet, 8-4-0, 2.27 GAA, .919 SV%). Allen’s hot streak (3rd in SV% among 10+ starts) exploits Columbus’ 32.1 SOG; Greaves faces 28.4 shots but .903 SV%. Edge: Devils.
Bench Impact: New Jersey’s depth (Mercer 10G-10A) edges Columbus’ (Chinakhov flashes), in a mid-pace tilt (Devils 15th at 99.8 possessions).
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away | Division | Streak |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 11-9-5 (.552) | 6-4-3 home | 1-4-2 Metro | L4 (0-2-2) |
| New Jersey Devils | 16-8-1 (.658) | 9-3-0 home | 3-3-1 Metro | W3 |
Blue Jackets: 8th in Metro (27 points); -0.4 goal differential. 26th in goals (2.8 GPG), 22nd in GA (3.2).
Devils: 2nd in Metro (33 points); +0.1 goal differential. 11th in goals (3.1 GPG), 14th in GA (3.0).
Recent Team Forms
Columbus Blue Jackets:
Columbus’ November was a tale of resilience amid frustration, posting a 5-4-1 mark but losing third-period leads in seven of 15 games (2-1-4 in those). Highlights: 3-2 OTW vs. Washington (Nov. 24, Werenski GWG) and 4-3 SO W vs. Toronto (Nov. 20), but skid capped by 3-2 OTL to Pittsburgh (Nov. 28, blew 2-0 lead) and 2-1 OTL to Detroit (Nov. 26). Offense middling (2.8 GPG, 26th; 18.2% PP), with five 20-goal scorers (Marchenko/Fantilli/Johnson/Werenski/Voronkov) but depth scoring dips without injuries. Defense leaky (3.2 GA, 22nd; 78.2% PK), allowing 32.4 SOG. Home strong (6-4-3), but road 5-5-2. Pace: 20th (98.8 possessions).
New Jersey Devils:
New Jersey’s hot start (8-1-0) cooled to 6-3-1 in November, including a three-win streak snapped by a 5-3 home L to Philadelphia (Nov. 29). Bright spots: 3-2 OTW vs. St. Louis (Nov. 26, Nemec GWG) and 5-0 shutout of Buffalo (Nov. 28, Allen 42 saves). Hughes’ injury sparked adjustments, but Bratt (70 points) and Hischier (23 points) carry load. Offense potent (3.1 GPG, 11th; 23.81% PP, 7th), with 4 SHG (3rd). Defense solid (3.0 GA, 14th; 84.6% PK, 6th), but injuries thin D (opponent shots 29.2, 12th). Home elite (9-3-0, <3 GA in 7/12). Pace: 15th (99.8 possessions).
Series History
New Jersey holds a narrow all-time edge in this Metro rivalry since Columbus’ 2000 inception, but recent years tilt toward the Devils. All-Time Regular Season: Devils lead 25-22-3 (52.1% win rate over 50 games).
Playoffs: None.
Last 10 Meetings: Devils 6-3-1, including Oct. 13, 2025 (NJD 3-2; Mercer 2G) and Dec. 19, 2024 (CBJ 4-2). Average score: 3.4-3.0 (Overs in 6/10).
In Newark: Devils 13-10-1 since 2000. Trends: 70% of last 10 under 6.5 goals; Devils 5-2 SU last 7 home vs. CBJ.
Betting Trends:
Key Trends:
Devils: 4-2 SU as -146+ favorites; 11-6 ATS overall, 6-3 home. Over in 13/25 (52%); 5-1 ATS last 6 vs. CBJ.
Blue Jackets: 2-4 as +122+ dogs; 10-10-5 ATS, 5-5-2 road. Under in 10/25 (40%), but 15/25 Overs; 1-6 SU last 7 vs. NJD.
Head-to-Head: Devils 6-3-1 SU last 10, 7-3 ATS; Under 70%.
Game Odds
Columbus Blue Jackets 6
New Jersey Devils – 147
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, November 30, 2025
