The New Jersey Devils have begun the 21-22 season on a much greater note than previous seasons. With a turbulent yet successful preseason, gameplay changes, and even roster controversy, all have arisen just as the first goals are getting shot through the net in the Prudential Center.

The first game of the Devils season dropped in the home arena in Newark against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, October 15th, with high hopes that the young core could spring victorious. Seconds after the puck drop, recently acquired defensemen Dougie Hamilton scored a snapshot past Blackhawks goaltender Kevin Lankinen, presenting his first goal as a Devil. 

Although the rest of the first period ran without any more goals, Chicago’s Alex DeBrincat put the Blackhawks on the board, arising from a Power-Play goal. Then later on into the period, Jack Hughes of the Devils scored a wrist shot into the net, allowing the Devils to re-acquire the previous lead.

Once the third period began, the game began to pick up speed, with Devil Andreas Johnsson letting the goal horn ring in Newark with a backhand shot. Later on, Chicago fired back with two goals, by Kirby Dach and Dominik Kubalik, creating a tie at 3-3.

Tension grew as the home opener ended with an overtime, however all was released as Jack Hughes scored his second goal of the night through the net, securing the Devils victory in their first game of the season with a final score of 4-3. Hughes’ goal sparked internet and league popularity, with his shot being one with great speed and movement to shoot past the Chicago goaltender when least expected. His celebration spread around the internet, as he threw his stick into the crowd of celebrating fans, only making the fanbase more excited for the season ahead.

With high spirits intact, the Devils moved forward toward their next game, creating a new first in their franchise history, a game against the recent NHL expansion, the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, October 19th. 

In the first period, the Devils powered through with a strong snapshot goal from recent player Dawson Mercer, assisted by Tomas Tatar and Ryan Graves. After passing through the Kraken net once, later on just a short time after Damon Severson shot a backhand goal, placing the Devils with another goal on the board. 

However, within the first period an injury to Jack Hughes was sustained after a collision with Kraken defenseman Jeremy Lauzon. Hughes was seen writhing in pain near his collarbone as he exited the rink and never returned for the rest of play. Devastation occurred despite the game being ongoing, as the past games celebrations only brought more excitement toward his play just to be led with uncertainty of his condition. Luckily, soon after the game head coach Lindy Ruff assured fans that his injury was not towards his collarbone, however he dislocated his left shoulder, and would undergo physical therapy and was listed as day-to-day on the injury list. He is expected to return in a few weeks and should play soon.

Despite the game being on a standstill with fans on edge of the critical injury, the game moved forward into the second period. Seattle soon placed itself onto the board against the Devils, a first in Seattle franchise history, with Riley Sheahan scoring past Devils goaltender Jonathan Bernier. A few minutes later, New Jersey scored as Jimmy Vesey powered through the net with a snapshot.

As the game continued into the third period with the Devils in the lead, the period went goalless until Kraken Jared McCann scored a Power-Play goal past Bernier. Despite this, with only a few seconds left in play, Pavel Zacha scored another goal to benefit New Jersey, allowing the Devils to victory against Seattle with a score of 4-2.

With two winning games so far into the season, the fans and the team grew hopeful entering the next game against the Washington Capitals on Thursday, October 21st. However, the game against the 2018 Stanley Cup Winners ran poorly, with Capitals Anthony Mantha and Dmitry Orlov scoring past Devils goaltender Wedgewood in the first period. As the second period began, Washington scored once more with Daniel Sprong performing a successful snapshot. The rest of the period ran cold, until the third began with Evgeny Kuznetsov scoring for Washington. A few minutes later, the Devils were able to be put on the board with a goal by Janne Kuokkanen. Despite strong efforts, the Devils had their first loss of the season with a score of 4-1.

With a mild setback arisen from the loss, the season still continued with a game against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, October 23rd. Buffalo, being last place in their division in the past year, many expected an easy win by the Devils. However, a rocky start of the game was present, as Buffalo scored in the first period with Dylan Cozens giving the Sabres an early lead. The remainder of the period was goalless, as well as the second period. As the third period began, the Devils were relieved as Captain Nico Hischier scored a Power-Play goal past the opposing net. With the game as a tie, regulation time soon depleted and an unexpected overtime was in order. Luckily, soon into overtime, Devil Pavel Zacha scored a goal past Buffalo goaltender Dustin Tokarski, securing yet another victory for the Devils.

In the midst of the season starting up, controversy arose despite the riveting beginning. Alexander Holtz, a prospect of the Devils was cut from the roster before the season, despite a phenomenal play in the preseason. Holtz was relocated to the Devils AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, where he produced a successful and impressive play, scoring several goals in many of their games. Much of the fanbase began to question the decision to cut Holtz, as much of it sparked the minute the roster was released to the public. Despite a high probability of Holtz soon being called into play for the Devils, many of the fans hope a change will be made. 

As the first few season games come to a conclusion, the Devils team and fans have been impressed in only a few games. With a juggling roster full of injuries, including critical defensemen Ty Smith who was only able to play in Buffalo, many questions and changes could still occur as the season progresses. One thing is clear however, the Devils have already had a much better start than previous years. A strong beginning may lead to a solid season as a whole, as the developing new players have adapted to professional hockey play. In the end, merely all of these games may only come down to hope of a new beginning for the franchise. Soon enough, the three-time Stanley Cup winning team may soon arise once more in the next seasons to come.