The upcoming New Jersey Devils road trip will test whether New Jersey can carry its recent momentum into three challenging matchups away from home. It begins Saturday against the Islanders before a quick turnaround in Toronto on Sunday. Tuesday’s finale in Winnipeg brings an emotional storyline, as Connor Hellebuyck returns to face his former team.
New Jersey heads into the trip following a 5–4 overtime victory over St. Louis, with Jesper Bratt delivering the winner. Hellebuyck improved to 4–0–0 since joining the Devils, and New Jersey moved to 11–5–0. The points matter, but allowing the Blues to erase a three goal lead also gave this team something to clean up before leaving home.
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A Peek at the New Jersey Devils Road Trip
Saturday at Islanders: Set the Tone Early
October 3, 2026; Elmont, New York; New Jersey Devils centre Amadeus Lombardi (93) skates against New York Islanders left wing Ondrej Palat (81) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
This New Jersey Devils road trip begins against a familiar foe. Trips to Long Island rarely feel comfortable for the Devils, and their first visit this season provided another frustrating example. The Islanders handed New Jersey a 6–0 loss at UBS Arena on October 3. Saturday offers an opportunity to respond and show how much the Devils have grown since that meeting.
Patience will be important. The Devils cannot allow a few stopped chances or an early mistake to create frustration and pull them away from their game. Getting traffic in front, making clean passes and maintaining defensive support will give them a better chance than trying to force offense through crowded areas.
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New Jersey also needs to establish itself early. Starting the trip by chasing a divisional opponent would make an already demanding weekend more difficult. A strong opening period would help the Devils find their rhythm before heading to Toronto.
Sunday at Toronto: Managing the Quick Turnaround
The Devils will have little time to recover before facing Toronto on Sunday. Playing consecutive nights puts additional emphasis on managing shifts, protecting the puck and getting contributions throughout the lineup. New Jersey cannot afford to drain its energy with avoidable turnovers and extended defensive zone shifts.
Support around the puck becomes especially important in this situation. Forwards need to provide clean outlets for their defensemen, while smart changes can help prevent tired players from getting trapped on the ice. The Devils need to recognize when an opportunity is there and when getting the puck deep is the better decision.
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The weekend also creates a decision in goal. Starting assignments remain something to watch, but the expectations in front of either goaltender should stay consistent. New Jersey needs to provide enough support to keep the game manageable, particularly as the workload builds.
Tuesday at Winnipeg: An Emotional Return
Apr 13, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) scores a goal against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Winnipeg is the matchup that will naturally draw the most attention. If Connor Hellebuyck gets the start, it will mark his first appearance against the organization where he spent his first 11 NHL seasons. His return brings both an impressive history and the emotions surrounding a difficult departure. This game will be the one everyone keeps an eye on during this New Jersey Devils road trip.
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Hellebuyck finished his Winnipeg career with a 345–208–55 record, 2.58 goals-against-average, a .916 save percentage and 45 shutouts in 625 regular season games. He also helped the Jets reach the 2018 Western Conference Final and earned three Vezina Trophies during his time with the organization. Those accomplishments explain why this return carries more weight than a typical matchup against a former team.
There also appeared to be some relief in Winnipeg that the drama was finally over. Captain Adam Lowry described the resolution as “relief” and said there had been “a cloud hanging over our heads.” His comments suggested a group ready to move forward, while still respecting what Hellebuyck contributed.
That combination gives the Jets plenty of motivation heading into Tuesday. Winnipeg has an opportunity to show it can succeed after the trade, while Hellebuyck could have a chance to make his own statement from the opposite crease. The Devils should expect an energized opponent and an atmosphere that could make the opening minutes especially important.
New Jersey’s responsibility is to keep the game manageable around its goaltender. Protecting the middle, clearing rebounds and avoiding unnecessary penalties will matter more than getting caught up in the storyline. A composed team effort would give the Devils their best chance to finish the trip with two points.
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The Last Word
Four points out of six would represent a strong trip, but the quality of New Jersey’s play matters alongside the results. The Devils have looked more connected lately and maintaining that progress against three different challenges would give their recent success more substance. The late breakdown against St. Louis showed that closing games still needs attention. If New Jersey can carry its confidence onto the road while tightening up those details, this team has a chance to become a difficult opponent on any given night. This New Jersey Devils road trip will be a pivotal one.
Main photo by: Brad Penner-Imagn mages
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