The New Jersey Devils faced the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 8 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and suffered a 4-1 loss. New Jersey stands 11-12-0 when on the road this season.
Recently, the Devils have been facing some scoring, defensive, and goaltending issues. After losing to their division rival Pittsburgh, the team has now lost three consecutive games and seven of its last 10. Before the 4-1 loss to the Penguins, the Devils suffered a huge 9-0 loss against the New York Islanders on Tuesday evening and last Sunday, they fell short 3-1 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
With the lack of chemistry amongst offensive and defensive roles, the team is lacking scoring and goaltending. These issues need to be urgently addressed and line changes must occur for the team to find its groove and make their way back to the winning column. The 2025-2026 NHL season has passed its halfway mark as we proceed through the month of January.
During the first period, Penguins’ defenseman Erik Karlsson scored a wrist shot goal with assists by Rickard Rakell and captain Sidney Crosby. There were no other goals made in the first. This was already a rough start for the Devils as the Penguins scored just under seven minutes in.
Goaltender Jake Allen was in the net for New Jersey. However, Jacob Markstrom has been the number one for the team but has been playing poorly lately. This is something to keep in mind; sometimes players are met with days where they have played better and just need to find their groove again, it seems that the Devils are currently facing a drought. Allen has 11 wins in the 23 games, a 2.55 goals-against average (GAA) and .911 save percentage (SV%) this season. Allen’s effort was appreciated. Allen faced Penguins’ goaltender Stuart Skinner, who earned his 14th win of the season. Skinner has a 2.83 GAA and .892 SV%. Skinner saved 28 shots against New Jersey.
Heading into the second period, over five minutes in and after a penalty kill, the Penguins struck again. Connor Dewar scored to make it 2-0 Pittsburgh with assists from Rakell and Kris Letang. Dewar was also the one who served penalty minutes for high-sticking against Devils defenseman Brett Pesce.
With under a minute remaining, Evgeni Malkin was able to score a slap shot against Allen, giving the Penguins a 3-0 advantage over New Jersey. Malkin had the help from Crosby and Karlsson. Devils forward, Dawson Mercer gave away the puck and the second period concluded.
In the final period, almost three minutes in, the Devils were able to get on the board, making it 3-1. Defenseman, Luke Hughes scored his fifth goal of the season as the Devils were no longer being shut out by the Penguins. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton and star center Jack Hughes picked up the assists on Luke’s goal; not a bad goal when it comes to an assist from Jack. The two Hughes brothers play well together on the team.
To conclude the third period, the Penguins scored their final goal of the evening. Blake Lizotte scored a tip-in which was guided by the help of Noel Acciari and Dewar.
The New Jersey Devils will next face the Winnipeg Jets on January 11 at 2 p.m. in Winnipeg, Canada.
