New Jersey Devils @ 
New York IslandersThe Hughes Brothers Are Rolling
Jack Hughes is back and looking sharp. After missing 18 games following surgery on his right hand - a freak accident that happened at a team dinner in Chicago of all places - the Devils' franchise center has returned with a vengeance. In his first game back against Buffalo on December 21st, Hughes scored his 11th goal of the season at 8:51 of the first period, proving the hand is just fine. He's got 11 goals and 21 points in just 18 games this season, maintaining nearly a point-per-game pace despite the extended absence.
The Devils desperately need Jack Hughes healthy. Without him, New Jersey went 8-10-0 and their goals per game dropped from 3.35 to a meager 2.28. That's a massive swing. When Jack is on the ice, the Devils can hang with anyone in the Metro. When he's not, they're a fringe playoff team at best. The good news? He looks healthy, and the chemistry with his brother Luke on the back end is starting to click.
Speaking of Luke Hughes, the younger brother has been solid if unspectacular this season. He's got 4 goals and 17 assists for 21 points in 42 games, leading all Devils defensemen in both categories. However, he's had some rough moments lately - including a brutal game against Carolina on January 4th where he scored on his own net and made another error that led to a Hurricanes goal. That 3-1 loss stung, but Luke took responsibility and promised to be better. Character moment for a young defenseman.
Jesper Bratt continues to lead the team in points with 9 goals and 33 points in 41 games, though he's been inconsistent lately. The Olympics-bound Swede only tallied points in five of 15 games in December, a stark contrast to his hot start. With Jack Hughes back in the lineup, expect Bratt's production to tick up. He needs a healthy Hughes to create space and draw defensive attention.
Matthew Schaefer Is Making History
Let me tell you about the phenom in the Islanders' lineup. Matthew Schaefer, the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, is having one of the greatest rookie seasons by a defenseman in NHL history. The 18-year-old has 12 goals and 28 points in 42 games, leading all first-year defensemen in goals, points, power-play points, shots on goal, penalties drawn, blocked shots, and average ice time. He's doing literally everything.
The records keep falling. Schaefer became the youngest defenseman in NHL history to reach 25 career points, breaking a record that had stood for decades. He's the youngest player ever to score a regular-season overtime goal, overtaking Sidney Crosby. He became the youngest defenseman with a multi-goal game, surpassing Bobby Orr. And just three days ago against Toronto, he scored twice including the overtime winner - his third game-winner of the season, tying Denis Potvin for most by an Islanders rookie defenseman.
In the Calder Trophy race, Schaefer is the clear frontrunner. He leads all rookies in first-place votes and has 78 total points, well ahead of Jesper Wallstedt (Wild) with 50 points and Beckett Sennecke (Ducks) with 47. If he keeps up this pace, Schaefer will run away with the award. Patrick Roy has given him massive minutes (23:50 per game average), and the kid has responded brilliantly every single night.
The Islanders are 23-15-4 and sitting second in the Metro Division. They've been particularly dominant at home lately, going 8-2-0 in their last 10 games at UBS Arena. As Roy put it: "We've been putting on a pretty good show in front of these guys." The home crowd has embraced Schaefer as the face of the franchise's future, and he's feeding off that energy.
First Meeting Went to the Islanders
These Metro Division rivals met once already this season, and it didn't go well for New Jersey. On November 10th at Prudential Center, the Islanders escaped with a 3-2 overtime victory. Simon Nemec tied the game for the Devils with less than five seconds remaining in regulation - a dramatic moment - but the Isles closed it out in the extra frame. Timo Meier had the other Devils goal in a game that showcased both teams' competitive fire.
The Devils will be looking for revenge tonight, but they're heading into a building where the Islanders have been nearly unbeatable. New York's home record is impressive, and UBS Arena has become a genuine fortress for Patrick Roy's squad. The atmosphere is intense, the crowd is loud, and visiting teams have struggled to generate momentum in Elmont.
Historically, the Islanders own this rivalry. In 277 all-time meetings, New York leads 152-103-22. The Devils have had their moments - including a legendary 8-1 beatdown back in October 1990 - but the Isles have been the superior franchise head-to-head. That said, the Devils have the more talented roster on paper right now with the Hughes brothers and Jesper Bratt.
The Goaltending Battle
Jacob Markstrom is expected to get the start for New Jersey, and he's been inconsistent at best. The veteran netminder is 10-7-2 with a 3.20 GAA and .888 save percentage this season - numbers that won't cut it against a team as hot as the Islanders. His counterpart, Jake Allen, has been better (11 wins, 2.55 GAA, .913 save percentage), but Sheldon Keefe has been splitting starts relatively evenly between the two.
For the Islanders, Ilya Sorokin just returned from a six-game absence with a lower-body injury and is slated to start. Before the injury, Sorokin had put together a brilliant stretch - he was named NHL First Star of the Week for December 7th after going 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA and .960 save percentage, including a 32-save shutout against Tampa Bay. For the season, he's 12-10-2 with a 2.55 GAA and .910 save percentage.
Sorokin's early-season struggles (0.868 save percentage in October) are behind him. He's found his form again and gives the Islanders a massive advantage in net if he's truly healthy. The Devils will need to test him early and often - when Sorokin gets comfortable, he can steal games single-handedly.
The Player Matchup
New Jersey Devils (22-18-2)New York Islanders (23-15-4)The matchup between Matthew Schaefer and Luke Hughes is fascinating. Two young defensemen with completely different profiles - Schaefer the offensive dynamo who's rewriting the rookie record books, Hughes the smooth-skating puck-mover still finding his footing. Both are franchise cornerstones, but Schaefer has taken a massive leap this season while Hughes has been more steady than spectacular.
In the middle of the ice, Jack Hughes vs. Mathew Barzal is a compelling battle. Hughes is the more dynamic scorer when healthy, but Barzal's playmaking ability and vision can take over games. Both teams run their offense through their centers, and whoever wins the battle of controlling possession will likely dictate the game's outcome.
Injury Report
Jack Hughes (C) - ACTIVE: Returned December 21st from finger surgery. Missed 18 games but looked sharp in return, scoring against Buffalo.
Timo Meier (RW) - DAY TO DAY: Upper-body injury. Status uncertain for tonight's game.
Ilya Sorokin (G) - ACTIVE: Returned from 6-game absence (lower-body). Expected to start tonight.
Kyle Palmieri (RW) - QUESTIONABLE: Lower-body injury being evaluated. Initial reports not encouraging per Patrick Roy. Could miss extended time.
Brock Nelson (C) - TRADED: Acquired by Colorado Avalanche at 2025 deadline. No longer with the team.
Key Betting Trends
Devils: 2-5 SU in last 7 games. The UNDER has cashed in 10 of New Jersey's last 11 games. Devils rank 28th in NHL with 111 goals scored (2.6 per game).
Islanders: 8-2-0 at home in last 10 games. 17-11 record as underdogs this season (60.7% win rate). 15-9 when +101 or higher on moneyline (62.5%).
Head-to-Head: Islanders won first meeting 3-2 OT on Nov. 10. Devils are 0-1 vs NYI this season. Islanders lead all-time series 152-103-22.
Totals: Devils' games have gone UNDER at a remarkable clip lately. Islanders' defense ranks 7th in NHL allowing just 2.8 goals per game. Total set at 5.5 with the under slightly juiced (-118).
Situational Analysis
The Devils enter tonight as slight road favorites (-120) despite their recent struggles. New Jersey is 2-5 SU in their last seven games and just took a 3-1 loss to Carolina where Luke Hughes had a night to forget. The offense has been inconsistent - they rank 28th in the NHL with just 2.6 goals per game. Without Jack Hughes for most of December, they couldn't score, and even with him back, the production hasn't fully returned.
The Islanders, meanwhile, are home underdogs at +100 despite their dominant home record. That's interesting pricing. New York is 8-2-0 at UBS Arena in their last 10 games, they have a Calder Trophy frontrunner on the blue line, and their goaltender just returned fresh from injury. The market is giving the Devils respect they may not deserve right now.
The total of 5.5 is low, but it makes sense when you look at the trends. The under has hit in 10 of New Jersey's last 11 games. The Islanders rank 7th in the NHL in goals allowed (2.8 per game). Neither team is lighting up the scoreboard offensively - the Devils are 28th in goals scored, and the Isles are middle of the pack. This has the feel of a tight, defensive Metro Division battle.
One factor to monitor: Kyle Palmieri's status. If the veteran winger is out, the Islanders lose a key power play weapon and 40-point scorer. Patrick Roy didn't sound optimistic about his condition. That could tilt the game toward New Jersey if Palmieri is sidelined.
Keys To Victory
For the Devils: They need Jack Hughes to take over. Simple as that. When Hughes is on his game, he can single-handedly drag this team to wins. Jesper Bratt needs to get hot again after a cold December. The defense, led by Luke Hughes, must bounce back from the Carolina debacle. And Markstrom needs to be solid - nothing spectacular, just solid. If he can stop 25+ saves at a .920 clip, New Jersey has a chance.
For the Islanders: Ride Matthew Schaefer. The kid has been their best player all season, and he's especially dangerous at home where the crowd feeds his energy. Get Mathew Barzal going early - he's been inconsistent lately with just three assists in his last six games. The Isles need Ilya Sorokin to shake off any rust from his injury layoff quickly. If Sorokin is sharp and Schaefer keeps making history, the Islanders will be tough to beat.
Final Thoughts
This Metro Division matchup features two teams heading in different directions. The Devils have been scuffling, going 2-5 in their last seven games and struggling to score consistently. Jack Hughes is back, which helps, but the team hasn't fully recovered from his absence. The Islanders, conversely, are rolling at home and have one of the best young players in hockey leading the charge.
Matthew Schaefer is a legitimate once-in-a-generation talent. What he's doing as an 18-year-old defenseman - breaking records held by Bobby Orr and Sidney Crosby - is genuinely historic. The Islanders know they have something special, and Patrick Roy has given him every opportunity to shine. Tonight, against a Metropolitan Division rival, expect Schaefer to be heavily involved.
The Devils have the talent to compete, especially with both Hughes brothers healthy and Jesper Bratt capable of taking over games. But their recent form is concerning. The under trend (10 of last 11 games) suggests they're not scoring enough to cover high totals, and their defense has been leaky at times. Markstrom needs a big game.
Both teams need this one. The Devils are fighting to stay in the playoff picture, while the Islanders are trying to solidify their position in a competitive Metro Division. Expect a tight, physical game between two rivals who don't particularly like each other. The atmosphere at UBS Arena should be electric.
